Microsatellite DNA markers for three toad-headed lizard species (Phrynocephalus vlangalii, P. przewalskii and P. guttatus).

To assess the impact of natural landscapes on the population structure of lizards, 10 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were developed for the Qinghai toad-headed lizard, Phrynocephalus vlangalii. The number of alleles at these informative loci ranged from four to 28. The novel markers and those previously developed for Phrynocephalus przewalskii were cross-tested among three toad-headed lizard species P. vlangalii, P. przewalskii and P. guttatus. A high cross-utility rate of more than 58% was observed among these three species. These markers are expected to be useful tools for taxonomic considerations as well as population genetic analysis and future conservation management.