Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Centricnemus leucogrammus weevil.

Centricnemus leucogrammus is a weevil characteristic of European xerothermic habitats and steppes. The species was probably more widespread during the Pleistocene glaciations, while its current distribution is limited to "warm-stage refugia." It may be regarded as a typical representative of flightless xerothermophilous beetles. Previous studies concentrated on its genetic variation using mitochondrial genes. Here, we identified, tested and characterized 24 polymorphic microsatellite loci with the use of 454 sequencing of microsatellite enriched genomic libraries. The new set of loci will be used in studies on the population structure of this weevil and may provide valuable information for its conservation.