A comparison of single nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite markers for analysis of parentage and kinship in a cooperatively breeding bird

摘要: The development of genetic markers has revolutionized molecular studies within and among populations. Although poly-allelic microsatellites are the most commonly used marker for within-population free-living animals, biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, have also emerged as a viable option use in nonmodel systems. We describe robust method SNP discovery from transcriptome organism that resulted more than 99% working successfully during genotyping. then compare 102 novel SNPs with 15 previously developed parentage kinship cooperatively breeding superb starlings (Lamprotornis superbus) live highly kin-structured groups. For 95% offspring surveyed, identified same father, but only when behavioural information about likely parents at nest was included to aid assignment. Moreover, such available, number necessary successful assignment reduced by half. However, few cases where candidate fathers were related, did better job assigning microsatellites. Despite high variation between individual pairwise relatedness values, performed equally well analyses. This study is first analyses species lives groups complex social kin structure. It should prove informative those interested developing loci data published genomes unavailable.