Development and characterization of 68 SNPs markers in the critically endangered species, Palea steindachneri

The Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle (Palea steindachneri) is the only species in the genus Palea, and is listed as a critically endangered species by IUCN Red List due to the extreme decline in its natural populations as a result of human capture and trade activities. However, the lack of studies on molecular markers is not conducive to the genetic diversity assessment and population conservation of P. steindachneri. Here, a total of 68 novel polymorphic SNP markers were developed and characterized based on whole-genome sequencing of P. steindachneri. The observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content of the 68 SNP markers ranged from 0.1250 to 0.6875, 0.3047 to 0.5000, and 0.2583 to 0.3750, respectively. Only five SNPs significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P_HWE<0.05). These novel polymorphic SNP markers will be useful for future genetic management and population conservation of P. steindachneri.