Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in tiger frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus)

Nine novel microsatellite loci were developed from the tiger frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) using enrichment methods. The number of alleles ranged from 6 to 11 with an average of 8.56 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.571 to 0.935 (average 0.796) and 0.765 to 0.888 (average 0.837) respectively. These polymorphic loci can be used in population structure, gene flow, and population differentiation.     

Isolation and characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endemic Hawaiian damselfly Megalagrion xanthomelas (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Microsatellite loci have been isolated from two species of endemic Hawaiian damselflies, Megalagrion xanthomelas and M. eudytum, that are of conservation concern. Sixteen polymorphic loci were characterized in 32 M. xanthomelas from one population on Molokai and one on Hawaii Island. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 16 and observed population heterozygosity ranged from 0.0 to 0.963. Eleven of these loci amplified successfully in M. eudytum as well. These loci will be used to further conservation efforts and infer genetic consequences of Pleistocene glaciations.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in Kearney's bluestar (Amsonia kearneyana) and cross‐amplification in other Amsonia species

Kearney's bluestar (Amsonia kearneyana) is a highly endangered herbaceous perennial in the family Apocynaceae. The species is found only in the Baboquivari Mountains of southern Arizona. We report the isolation and development of 12 microsatellite loci for Kearney's bluestar. Numbers of alleles ranged from two to four and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.20 to 0.80 in the nine loci found to be polymorphic in the test population. All loci were also tested for cross‐amplification in five other Amsonia species representing two subgenera from the southwestern United States. Some loci that were not polymorphic in the Kearney's bluestar were polymorphic in other species.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

We isolated and characterized 16 microsatellite loci in the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus. The loci were screened across 25 individuals from one population and shown to be polymorphic with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to 17. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.212 to 0.887 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.960. Only two loci (Chip 10 and Chip 25) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.     

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 eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from Ludwigia polycarpa (Onagraceae), a threaten herb in North America

Ludwigia polycarpa is the only species of section Microcarpium occurring north of 37°N in the central midwest of the United States. Recently, the loss of wetlands in North America reduced the population number and size of L. polycarpa dramatically. In this study, for the purpose of the conservation of the endangered species, we described eight microsatellite DNA loci. High variabilities enable these molecular markers to assess the population structure. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 23. The expected (H _E) and observed (H _O) heterozygosities ranged from 0.86 to 0.96 and 0.00 to 1.00, respectively. Seven of the eight microsatellite loci displayed significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, likely due to the loss of habitats and the small population size. No linkage disequilibrium was observed in the pairwise comparisons of loci. The application of these microsatellite loci in L. polycarpa may provide a tool for understanding its demography and population structure.     

Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite loci in an endangered fish Ussuri cisco, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coregonus usssruensis</Emphasis>

Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library of Ussuri cisco, Coregonus usssruensi. The polymorphism of these loci was tested on a population of 30 individuals captured from Heilongjiang River. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 18. The expected and observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.126 to 0.919 and 0.133 to 0.833, respectively. Five loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. These polymorphic markers will be used to assess population structure in Ussuri cisco.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci in sea bass,Lates calcarifer Bloch

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA) technique was used to isolate seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in sea bass, Lates calcarifer Bloch. A total of 62 samples of wild and cultivated sea bass collected from a few populations within Peninsular Malaysia were used in the study. For seven polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged from four to nine and locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.710 to 1.000. The loci will be useful for studying population structure, genetic variability of wild and hatchery stocks of L. calcarifer and broodstock management purposes.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Schisandra sphenanthera

Schisandra sphenanthera (Schisandraceae) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. In this study, nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for the species. A genomic DNA enrichment protocol was used to isolate microsatellite loci and polymorphism was explored using 36 individuals sampled from a natural population. The observed number of alleles ranged from 2 to 10 with an average of 5.2. Expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.30 to 0.82 and 0.33 to 0.97, respectively. These microsatellites have been directly applied to both population and conservation genetic studies of S. sphenanthera.     

Development of polymorphic EST-derived SSR markers for the shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

In our study, we evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Fenneropenaeus chinensis. Characteristics of 11 EST-SSR loci were investigated using 34 F. chinensis individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 9. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.118 to 0.826, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.623 to 0.847. Two loci (T2 and T12) conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. There was no LD observed between all pairs of EST-SSRs loci. The PIC values of 11 microsatellite loci were higher than 0.5. These loci and markers will be useful for population genetics and systemic evolution of F. chinensis.     

Isolation and characterization of ten tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in rock carp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procypris rabaudi</Emphasis> (Tchang)

Ten tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from GATA-enriched library of rock carp (Procypris rabaudi). The loci were tested in 25 individuals from four populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 6. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.460 to 0.788. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.375 to 0.739 and from 0.531 to 0.833, respectively. These microsatellites will facilitate the study of population genetics of rock carp.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers for the tanoak tree,Lithocarpus densiflorus

We describe the development of 19 primers for amplification of microsatellite loci for tanoak, Lithocarpus densiflorus (Hook. & Arn.). A population from Soquel State Demonstration Forest, Santa Cruz County, California (n = 20), and eight individuals from four additional coastal populations and one interior (Sierra Nevada) population were used to investigate polymorphism. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 10. Observed heterozygosity in the Soquel population ranged from 0.05 to 0.70, with two loci being fixed.     

Isolation and characterization of twenty-one polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Tibetan macaque (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaca thibetana</Emphasis>)

Twenty-one microsatellite loci were isolated from AC-enriched library of Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana). The number of alleles at the 21 microsatellite loci ranged from 8 to 15, with an average of 12.2 per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.805 to 0.910 with an average of 0.873. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.208 to 0.792 and from 0.843 to 0.938, respectively. These microsatellite loci will be useful for future studies that relate to the genetic diversity and population structure of Tibetan macaque.     

Eleven microsatellite markers in Nasonia,Ashmead 1904 (Hymenoptera; Pteromalidae)

We designed primer sequences for 11 microsatellite markers in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Most loci could be cross‐amplified in Nasonia longicornis and Nasonia giraulti, which make them amenable for linkage analysis in hybrid crosses. Eight loci were assigned to specific chromosomes. Additionally, 10 loci showed allelic variation in a Nasonia vitripennis field population. The observed number of alleles in this population ranged from two to seven, with observed heterozygosities from 0.0750 to 0.4750.     

dbEST-derived SSR markers in sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus)

Sea urchin is an important model organism for evolutionary biology, embryology, and gene regulation study. We developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Characteristics of nine EST-SSR loci were investigated using 41 Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to five. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.122 to 0.7805, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.4472 to 0.7696. These loci and markers will be useful for population genetics and systemic evolution among species of sea urchin.     

Development and characterization of twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci in the threatened Red Hills salamander, Phaeognathus hubrichti

We isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci from the endangered Red Hills salamander, Phaeognathus hubrichti. Loci were screened in 24 individuals of P. hubrichti. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 16, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.130 to 0.750, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.012 to 0.778. These new loci provide tools for examining the population genetics of this federally threatened salamander.     

Identification of 10 microsatellite loci in the earwig Labidura riparia (Dermaptera,Labiduridae)

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated from the earwig Labidura riparia (Pallas, 1773). The polymorphism of the loci was assessed in 24 individuals from one population. The number of alleles ranged from four to 11 alleles and observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.250 to 0.833 and from 0.551 to 0.861, respectively.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

We report the development of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using an unenriched genomic library. The number of the alleles ranged from two to 18 and observed hererozygosity ranged from 0.0286 to 0.9429, indicating that these markers will be useful for population studies and mapping in pacific white shrimp. Seven loci were detected deviated from Hardy–Weinberg, caused by deficiency of heterozygote, suggesting population genetic structure across the sampled population. No evidence for linkage disequilibrium was found.     

Polymorphic Microsatellite Markers for Solen grandis and Their Cross-Species Amplification in Three Other Species

The grand jackknife clam Solen grandis is a commercially important mollusk species, but has been suffering from severe population decline due to over-exploitation and habitat destruction in China. To promote a conservation program for this species, it is necessary to evaluate its genetic diversity and population genetics. In this study, 10 novel polymorphic microsatellite makers were developed and characterized from the S. grandis through high throughput sequencing. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 10 to 34 with an average of 20.8 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.433 to 1.000 and from 0.696 to 0.976, with an average of 0.793 and 0.884, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.633 (Sg43838) to 0.958 (Sg3754), with an average of 0.858. The cross-species amplification transferability of 10 loci to three closely related species ranged from 4.17 to 62.5%. These microsatellite loci will be useful for further investigation of population structure and conversation genetics of this species.