Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis)

A total of 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from the striped hamster, Cricetulus barabensis, a widespread rodent pest in northern China. Two to six alleles per locus were detected in 90 individuals from three locations in Shandong Province, China. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.21 to 0.78 and from 0.30 to 0.80, respectively. These microsatellite markers provide new tools for investigating the population structure of this species.