New polymorphic microsatellite loci developed and characterized from edible dormouse (Glis glis)

Eight new polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the edible dormouse (Glis glis). All loci were polymorphic in the 70 individuals tested. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 6, with a mean of 4. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.10 to 0.71 and 0.15 to 0.67, respectively. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium between loci has been found. These eight new loci, plus previously characterized markers, now make it possible to undertake more detailed population genetic studies of G. glis, which is relevant to the preservation of this species.     

Characterization of 22 microsatellites loci from the endangered Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata)

Here we present a new set of 22 microsatellite loci isolated from Chlamydotis undulata undulata, an endangered Houbara bustard found across North Africa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine, and heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.944. Total exclusionary probabilities using these loci for the first and the second parent were 0.992932 and 0.999915, respectively. Successful cross‐amplification was observed in eight other Otididae species (12–22 of the 22 loci). These microsatellite markers are powerful tools for genetic identification, paternity assignment and population genetic studies.     

Development and characterization of nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from seaside alder, Alnus maritima

We isolated and characterized 19 microsatellite loci from the endangered seaside alder, Alnus maritima. Loci were screened in 24 individuals of A. maritima and four individuals of its congener the hazel alder, A. serrulata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 6, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.952, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.126 to 0.850. These new loci provide tools for characterizing the population genetics of this rare tree.     

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from Jamaican streamertail hummingbirds (Trochilus)

We isolated and characterized 15 microsatellite loci from the endemic Jamaican streamertail hummingbird Trochilus polytmus. Loci were screened in 12 individuals of both T. polytmus and its sister species T. scitulus, also a Jamaican endemic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 10, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 1, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.038 to 0.663. These new loci provide tools for characterizing the narrow hybrid zone between the two species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cupressus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">chenggiana</Emphasis> S. Y. Hu (Cupressaceae)

Cupressus chenggiana S. Y. Hu (Cupressaceae) is an endemic and endangered conifer species in southwest China. In order to study the population genetics and design the effective conservation methods, we aimed to develop microsatellite primers for this species in the present study. We developed eight new microsatellite loci for this species through biotin capture method. Polymorphism of each locus was further assessed in 18 individuals from three geographically distant populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 11 with an average of 8.13. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.219 to 0.296 and from 0.374 to 0.470, with averages of 0.254 and 0.417, respectively. We further found that three of nine microsatellite loci developed previously for another congeneric species showed polymorphic banding patters. We performed primer-crossing tests of these loci in the other two congeneric species which are closely related to C. chenggiana (C. gigantea and C. duclouxiana). These microsatellite markers would be effective for analyzing genetic diversity and population genetic structure of this species and its morphological differentiation with the close relatives.     

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.     

Development and characterization of 13 novel microsatellite loci from the flat-headed bat (Tylonycteris pachypus) with cross-species amplification in closely related taxa

13 novel microsatellite loci was isolated using the enriched library method from genomic DNA of the flat-headed bat (Tylonycteris pachypus). These loci showed high levels of genetic polymorphism testing on 54 individuals sampled from Guangxi province, China. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 15. The expected and observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.170 to 0.900 and from 0.185 to 0.944, respectively. One loci departed significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) after Bonferroni correction and no Linkage disequilibrium was found between any pairs of loci. In addition, these loci were tested in the sister species, Tylonycteris robustula, seven loci amplified successfully and were also polymorphic.     

Isolation, characterization and cross-species amplification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Asclepias (Apocynaceae)

Ten polymorphic loci were isolated and characterized from the milkweed, Asclepias syriaca L., of North America. These loci successfully cross-amplified in A. exaltata L. Polymorphism ranged from two to 16 alleles per locus per species in 68 individuals of A. syriaca and 56 individuals of A. exaltata. Expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.017 to 0.851 and significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found for two and three loci in A. syriaca and A. exaltata, respectively. No linkage disequilibrium was detected. These markers should prove useful for assessing population genetic structure and interspecific gene flow in these and other species of Asclepias.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus

Screening of the Anopheles funestus genomic DNA library detected 18 new sequences with dinucleotide tandem repeats. Primers were designed to amplify the loci and 14 out of 18 gave a repeatable and scorable amplification. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were tested for each locus in a sample of 30 wild Anopheles funestus females. No heterozygote deficiency was detected for 11 loci of 14, thus revealing the absence of null alleles. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15, and observed heterozygosity from 0.13 to 0.85.     

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers from barfin flounder (Verasper moseri) and their cross-species amplification

Barfin flounder (Verasper moseri) is a rare fish species in the world. Here, we reported 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from a dinucleotide-enriched genomic library of barfin flounder (Verasper moseri). The number of alleles, observed, and expected heterozygosity per locus in a test population ranged from 2 to 6, from 0.3333 to 1.0000, and from 0.4866 to 0.7774, respectively. One locus significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction and no significant linkage disequilibrium was found between pairs of loci. Cross-species amplification of these microsatellite loci in additional five fish species was performed. These polymorphic microsatellite loci would be useful for investigating genetic population structure and construction of genetic linkage map in Verasper moseri. Gui-Dong Miao and Chang-Wei Shao Contributed equally to this work.     

New microsatellites primers for plaice,Pleuronectes platessa L. (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae)

Seven microsatellite loci were developed for Pleuronectes platessa, a commercially important flatfish found throughout northern European waters. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 11 to 33 and heterozygosities from 0.74 to 0.96. Cross‐reactivity was tested against six other flatfish species. Significant amplification was found in all species from one to all seven of the loci.     

Polymorphic microsatellite markers isolated from partially enriched genomic library of Chitala chitala

A total eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were obtained from genomic library of Indian feather back, Chitala chitala (order Osteoglossiformes, family Notopteridae) and the 46 samples were analysed to determine genetic variation. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 4.50 to 5.25, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.124 to 0.852. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations (P < 0.002) was observed at loci Cch2, Cch9 (Bhaghirathi) and Cch9 (Brahmaputra). The identified microsatellite loci were found promising for population genetics studies of C. chitala and related species Notopterus notopterus (family Notopteridae).     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from a dinucleotide-enriched genomic library of starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) and cross-species amplification

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is a rare fish species in China. Here, we reported 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from a dinucleotide-enriched genomic library of starry flounder (P. stellatus). The number of alleles, observed and expected heterozygosity per locus in 30 individuals ranged from two to six, from 0.2500 to 1.0000 and from 0.4512 to 0.7667, respectively. One locus significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction and no significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found. Cross-species amplification of these microsatellite loci in additional three fish species was performed. These polymorphic microsatellite loci would be useful for investigating genetic population structure and construction of genetic linkage map in P. stellatus. Guidong Miao and Changwei Shao have contributed equally.     

Development and characterization of 10 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in Homatula potanini (Günther, 1896)

Homatula potanini is a genus Paracobitis which belongs to the family Cobitidae, subfamily Nemacheilinae. We first isolated ten novel microsatellite DNA loci using the FIASCO protocol. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 14. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.3750 to 0.9375 and 0.4028 to 0.8819 respectively. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.3515 to 0.8556 (M = 0.6170). No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected among the loci. In the present study, we have identified 10 new markers for H.  potanini. These loci should provide sufficient levels in the evaluation of genetic diversity and designing effective conservation programs of H.  potanini.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Japanese pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus)

We describe the first set of ten microsatellite markers isolated in Pipistrellus abramus. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 13. The observed and expected heterozygosities values ranged from 0.486 to 0.971 and from 0.752 to 0.876, respectively. Three loci revealed significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium was found between loci pairs. These informative microsatellite markers will be a powerful molecular tool for studying the population genetic structure of P. abramus, as well as other species of this genus.     

Eight new polymorphic microsatellite loci from the eastern phoebe (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sayornis phoebe</Emphasis>)

We describe eight new polymorphic microsatellite loci (5 dinucleotide and three trinucleotide) for the eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) to complement five previously published loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 15 and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.33 to 0.91. Preliminary screening revealed that loci were polymorphic in other Tyrannidae: Empidonax virescens (n = 10), Tyrannus tyrannus (n = 10), Tyrannus vociferans (n = 5), and Tyrannus melancholicus (n = 28).     

Six new microsatellite markers for the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense

We report the characterization of six new microsatellite loci for the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (North American ribotype), using 56 isolates from a range of locations. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from five to nine and gene diversities ranged from 0.041 to 0.722. We tested primers for these six loci on other A. tamarense ribotypes and on other Alexandrium species; the results suggest that the primers are specific to A. tamarense isolates belonging to the North American ribotype.     

Isolation and characterization of five microsatellite loci in the ponerine ant Pachycondyla inversa (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

We characterized five polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci for the neotropical ponerine ant Pachycondyla inversa. The variability was initially tested in 19 workers from nine colonies from a Brazilian population. We found five to 12 alleles per locus, with observed heterozygosities between 0.72 and 0.95. The allele size ranged from 73 to 197 bp. The primers also successfully amplified DNA at all five loci in the closely related species P. villosa.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from a dinucleotide-enriched genomic library of obscure puffer (Takifugu obscurus) and cross-species amplification

Obscure puffer (Takifugu obscurus) is an anadromous fish species in China. Here, we reported 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from a dinucleotide-enriched genomic library of T. obscurus. The number of alleles, observed and expected heterozygosity per locus in 30 individuals ranged from four to 10, from 0.57 to 0.86 and from 0.68 to 0.90, respectively. Three loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction and no significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found. Cross-species amplification of these microsatellite loci in additional three fish species was performed. These polymorphic microsatellite loci would be useful for investigating genetic population structure and construction of genetic linkage map in T. obscurus.     

Isolation and characterization of ten microsatellite loci in Blue-footed (Sula nebouxii) and Peruvian Boobies (Sula variegata)

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Blue-footed (Sula nebouxii) and Peruvian Boobies (S. variegata). The loci were screened in 24 Blue-footed Boobies and 27 Peruvian Boobies: 8 were polymorphic in Blue-footed Boobies with between 2 and 10 alleles per locus and 9 were polymorphic in Peruvian Boobies with between 2 and 12 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.29 to 0.84. These loci were also tested in Brown Boobies (S. leucogaster) and were variably polymorphic. These new loci are currently being used to assess population genetic structure in Blue-footed and Peruvian Boobies and will also be used to examine hybridization between the species.