Cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in European woodpeckers (Picidae)

Microsatellites are currently a popular genetic marker in population and conservation genetics. Initial identification of the marker is expensive and labour-consuming, therefore cross-species microsatellite amplification is often use in species with a poorly recognized genome. The aim of our study was to assess the possibility of using microsatellite markers described for white-backed woodpecker Dendrocopos lencotos in genetic Studies of other species of European Picidae. The set of six micro satellites was tested on nine woodpecker species. For each of them we describe number of loci successfully amplified and their level of polymorphism. We briefly discuss the possibility of utilizing tested markers in population and ecological studies of Picidae.