DNA barcoding and microsatellite marker development for Nyctibatrachus major: the threatened amphibian species

Abstract

Identifying species of organisms by using molecular and bioinformatics tools has been in the center of ongoing discussions on the conservation genetics field. The resolution of taxonomic uncertainties is a necessary step to distinguish entities for conservation purposes. In an effort to contribute to resolving this taxonomic uncertainty and to assess the genetic population structure of the taxon Nyctibatrachus major, we barcoded COI gene for species identification and also developed species specific primers for microsatellite markers to assess the population dynamics among Nyctibatrachus major population. The current work is a part of the ongoing programs on the conservation genetics of endemic fauna of Western Ghats.