Variable microsatellite loci isolated from the azure damselfly,Coenagrion puella (L.) (Zygoptera; Coenagrionidae)

We isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the azure damselfly Coenagrion puella (Zygoptera; Coenagrionidae) as part of a study assessing reproductive success and genetic structure in an isolated population of this species. Levels of genetic diversity were assessed in 50 individuals collected from Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire, UK. The number of alleles per microsatellite loci ranged from three to 22 and the observed and expected heterozygosities varied between 0.26 and 0.84 and between 0.23 and 0.91, respectively. Two loci showed significant (P < 0.05) heterozygote deficits, likely because of null (non‐amplifying) alleles; one pair of loci was in linkage disequilibrium.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in the western tarnished plant bug,Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae)

A microsatellite‐enriched partial genomic DNA library of Lygus hesperus was generated and screened by sequencing. Ten polymorphic microsatellite marker loci were characterized by genotyping 92 insect samples. The observed number of alleles ranged from three to seven with an average of 4.5 (SE ± 0.45), while the effective number of alleles ranged from 1.21 to 3.02 with an average of 2.14 (SE ± 0.20). Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were detected at three loci. Significant linkage disequilibrium was also detected between the loci LhMS2‐54 and LhMS3‐32. Seven of the L. hesperus markers could be transferred to Lygus lineolaris.     

Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for Banksia attenuata (Proteaceae)

We developed 11 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for an Australian native shrub Banksia attenuata. The number of alleles per locus in 50 individuals varied from five to 18, observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.300 to 0.740 and from 0.537 to 0.918, respectively. Six loci showed no significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05), and null alleles appear to exist at locus BA‐B1. All loci showed independent inheritance.     

Fifteen microsatellite loci characterized in the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos (Accipitridae,Aves)

Polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in order to study golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) population fragmentation. Twenty‐six published Aquila and eight published Haliaeetus microsatellite loci were tested for polymorphism in A. chrysaetos. Fifteen loci were polymorphic with between two and six alleles detected per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.15 to 0.77 among 177 unrelated individuals from Scotland. There was no evidence for null alleles. Two pairs of loci (Hal‐10 & Aa15 and Hal‐10 & Aa26) displayed linkage disequilibrium.     

Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers in the tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)

A partial genomic library of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, enriched for microsatellite sequences was screened to identify marker loci. Eight polymorphic loci suitable for population genetic studies were identified by screening 192 field‐collected insects. The observed number of alleles ranged from four to 21 with an average of 12.25 (SE ± 1.94) while the effective number of alleles ranged from 1.23 to 11.05 with an average of 4.49 (SE ± 1.15). No linkage disequilibria or significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were detected at any of the loci. Seven of the eight L. lineolaris microsatellite loci were transferable to Lygus hesperus.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Acanthoscelides obvelatus Bridwell (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Five microsatellite loci were isolated from the bruchid Acanthoscelides obvelatus Bridwell (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Each locus was polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from two to 15. We found high levels of within‐population variation at most loci, with heterozygosity ranging from 0.182 to 0.900. Cross‐species amplification of these loci was tested in two other species of the genus Acanthoscelides, A. obtectus Say and A. argillaceus Sharp.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Six microsatellite loci were isolated from the bruchid Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Each locus was polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 3 to 18. We found high levels of within‐population variation at most loci, with heterozygosities ranging from 0 to 0.75. Cross‐species amplification of these loci was tested in two other species of the genus Acanthoscelides, A. obvelatus Bridwell and A. argillaceus Sharp.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers for the mangrove tree Avicennia germinans L. (Avicenniaceae)

We describe 10 primers for amplification of microsatellite loci for the mangrove, Avicennia germinans. Eight loci were isolated from a DNA sample from the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico and two loci were isolated from a DNA sample from the Atlantic coast of Bermuda. Polymorphism was investigated in a population from the Mexican Pacific coast (n = 15) and in four samples scattered throughout the range of the species. Total number of alleles for the species ranged from two to 10. Observed heterozygosity in the Mexican Pacific coast population ranged from 0.27 to 0.60, with two loci having fixed alleles.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Candidia barbata (Cyprinidae) using PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA)

Candidia barbata is an endemic cyprinid fish in Taiwan and suffers habitat destruction caused by human overexploitation. In this study, a total of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci from C. barbata were isolated and characterized using an optimized protocol to construct a microsatellite-enriched genomic library. The analysis of variability was performed in 30 specimens of Taiwan. The mean number of alleles across loci was 4.92 ± 1.44. The levels of expected and observed heterozygosities varied from 0.1266 to 0.5079, and from 0.0667 to 0.9667, respectively. Frequencies of null alleles of the 14 loci are not significantly greater than zero. No linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci in either population.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci for the Neotropical freshwater catfish Pimelodella chagresi (Teleostei: Pimelodidae)

We report eight (CA)_10?35 unlinked microsatellite loci from the Neotropical freshwater catfish, Pimelodella chagresi (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae). These loci were characterized with 23 individuals collected in Panama. Number of alleles per locus varied from 7 to 23 (mean = 12.9) and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.522 to 0.909 (mean = 0.732). These loci will be used to investigate the existence of cryptic species within the P. chagresi clade, and to study fine‐scale population structure.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the lance‐tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata)

Eight microsatellite loci were isolated from the lance‐tailed manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), a polygynous lek‐breeding bird from Central America. Five of these loci were polymorphic (two to seven alleles per locus), with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.100 to 0.860 (n = 50 individuals). These variable loci provide a valuable tool for assessing patterns of parentage and relatedness within lance‐tailed manakin social groups.     

Isolation and characterization of 12 tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite loci from the green‐backed tit (Parus monticolus)

From a partial genomic library enriched for GATA short tandem repeats, we developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the green‐backed tit (Parus monticolus). We characterized these loci by genotyping 30 adult individuals with unknown relationship. The number of alleles ranged from four to 17 per locus (mean = 9.3 alleles) and the observed heterozygosity for each locus ranged from 0.633 to 0.933 (mean = 0.789). All loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Four of 66 possible pairwise comparisons between loci showed significant gametic disequilibrium.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa)

Nine yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa) microsatellite loci were isolated using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Three to eight alleles per locus were detected in 29 samples collected from five populations of E. bambusa. The mean number of alleles was 5.6 ± 1.9 and the level of observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.415 to 0.843. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from E. bambusa that can be used for estimating genetic diversity, population structure and parentage analysis.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

A total of 45 microsatellite loci from yellow perch, Perca flavescens, were isolated and characterized. Among the 45 microsatellite loci, 32 had more than two alleles. A wild population of P. flavescens (n = 48) was used to examine the allele range of the microsatellite loci. Mendelian inheritance of alleles was confirmed by examining the amplified products in pair‐mated families. The number of alleles for the 32 polymorphic loci varied from two to 16, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.024 (YP79) and 0.979 (YP60). Cross‐species polymorphic amplification in four other Percidae species was successful for 22 loci.     

Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for paternity analysis in the red‐capped robin (Petroica goodenovii: Aves)

Seven microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the red‐capped robin Petroica goodenovii, using nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques to screen an enriched genomic library. Five loci showed no evidence of null alleles and were variable [mean heterozygosity (H_E) = 0.440, mean number of alleles = 8]. Cross‐amplification using primers for microsatellites in Phylloscopus occipitalis and Emberiza schoeniclus yielded another two polymorphic loci. The combined set of five red‐capped robin and two cross‐amplified loci are suitable for paternity assignment (exclusion probability for seven unlinked loci = 0.9760).     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the southern emu‐wren (Stipiturus malachurus: Aves)

We isolated and characterized eight novel microsatellite loci in the southern emu‐wren (Stipiturus malachurus). We used nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques to screen an enriched genomic DNA library. Based on genotypes from a single population, six loci showed no evidence of null alleles and were polymorphic (allele range = 2–9, mean heterozygosity = 0.57), and one locus was sex‐linked (N_A = 4). These loci were variable and had different allele size ranges in three other populations of southern emu‐wrens, and are therefore useful for determining levels of genetic diversity within and between populations of the species.     

Characterization of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica)

Nine tetrarepeat microsatellite loci for Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica) were characterized. By using 35 individuals of unknown relationship collected from Taiwan, we evaluated the polymorphism of these loci. The number of alleles for each locus ranged from five to 12 (mean = 8.78 alleles) and the observed heterozygosity from 0.429 to 0.962 (mean = 0.688) and all loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectation.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for paternity analysis in the Madagascar paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone mutata: Aves)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Madagascar paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata were isolated using nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques to screen an enriched genomic library. Seven polymorphic loci showed no evidence of null alleles and exhibited high levels of variation in 18 unrelated individuals (mean diversity = 0.80, mean number of alleles = 13.6). These loci are therefore suitable for analysis of population structure and paternity (exclusion probability for six unlinked loci = 0.9998).     

Development and characterization of six new microsatellite markers for the silver‐ or gold‐lipped pearl oyster,Pinctada maxima (Pteriidae)

Six di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were developed for the silver‐ or gold‐lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima using a linker‐ligated, magnetic bead enrichment protocol. Based on a minimum of 134 Indonesian pearl oyster samples, number of alleles and observed heterozygosity at each locus ranged from six to 17 alleles and from 0.172 to 0.813 (mean = 0.448), respectively. Mean polymorphic information content for the six loci was 0.562. These loci should be very useful in DNA parentage analyses and population differentiation of P. maxima in Australia and Indonesia.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in polyploid Lavatera assurgentiflora ssp. assurgentiflora and ssp. glabra (Malvaceae)

Lavatera assurgentiflora (Malvaceae) is one of four species of the genus Lavatera native to California and Baja California. Two geographically defined subspecies are recognized: L. a. assurgentiflora on the northern islands and L. a. glabra on the southern islands. We isolated nine polymorphic microsatellite loci that amplify in both subspecies of L. assurgentiflora. Substantial levels of polymorphism were observed at many of the loci. Four loci exhibited more than 10 alleles, polymorphism information content ranged from 0.4 to 0.8, and up to six alleles were found in some individuals, supporting reports that these taxa are hexaploid. All loci also amplified in Lavatera lindsayi from Guadalupe Island, and we anticipate that they will cross‐amplify in other California Lavatera species as well.