Microsatellite markers for detecting hybrids between the extinct in the wild Alagoas Curassow (Pauxi mitu) and Razor-billed Curassow (P. tuberosa) (Aves, Galliformes)

The Alagoas Curassow, Pauxi mitu, is extinct in the wild since 2004, and one of the major challenges for its ex situ management is the introgression of alleles from Razor-billed Curassows, P. tuberosa, which occurred in the captive population without pedigree recordings. Here we describe 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from a P. tuberosa genomic library, nine of which amplified and were polymorphic in both species. Numbers of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 4 in P. mitu, and 2 to 16 in P. tuberosa. These loci will be useful for hybrids identification and for the implementation of an ex situ breeding plan based on the establishment of a pure population of P. mitu.