Development and validation of microsatellite markers for an endangered dragonfly, Libellula angelina (Odonata: Libellulidae), with notes on population structures and genetic diversity

Abstract

The Bekko Tombo, Libellula angelina Selys, 1883 (Odonata: Libellulidae), is listed as an endangered species in South Korea, and is classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). An assessment of the genetic diversity and population relationships of the species by molecular markers can provide the information necessary to establish effective conservation strategies. In this study, we developed 10 microsatellite markers specific to L. angelina using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Forty-three samples of L. angelina collected from three localities in South Korea were genotyped to validate these markers and to preliminarily assess the population genetic characteristics. The 10 markers revealed 4–11 alleles, 0.211–0.950 observed heterozygosity (H O), and 0.659–0.871 expected heterozygosity (H E) in the population with the largest sample size (n = 20), thereby validating the suitability of these markers for population analyses. Our preliminary assessment of the population genetic characteristics appears to indicate the following: presence of inbreeding in all populations, an isolation of the most geographically distant population (Seocheon), and a lower H O than H E. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for studying the population genetics of L. angelina collected from additional sites in South Korea and from other regions.