Microsatellite DNA markers developed for the Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) and their cross‐amplification in estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum)

The Australian bass is a catadromous species found in drainages of southeastern Australia. As an economically important resource that is declining in number, the Australian bass is currently extensively stocked in New South Wales and Victoria to meet the requirements of fisheries programs. We have developed six microsatellite markers that amplify in both Australian bass and the congeneric estuary perch. These markers are useful for investigating population genetic structure and for identifying hybrids between these two species.