A set of polymorphic dinucleotide and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and cross-amplification in other cetacean species

Eleven dinucleotide and five tetranucleotide polymorphic microsatellite loci were presented for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis, a species categorized as ‘data deficiency’ in the IUCN Red List. These markers were developed to allow future population studies, such as characterization of population structure and genetic diversity that are important for the species’ conservation. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 9 with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.167 to 0.917, and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.159 to 0.913. Test of these loci in five additional cetacean species found that 10–13 loci have successful cross-amplifications.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the orchid Serapias vomeracea (Orchidaceae) and cross‐priming to other Serapias species

In this paper we describe the isolation and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci from the orchid Serapias vomeracea. This species is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. Microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched library and primer pairs were designed for 18 loci. Primer pairs for six loci amplified well and were tested on samples from southern Italy. Levels of genetic variability detected at these six loci are high, with numbers of alleles per locus ranging from 3 to 6, and observed heterozygosity (H_O) ranging from 0.35 to 0.86. All primer pairs tested amplified DNA from four other Serapias species, indicating that the primers are useful for population genetic studies throughout the genus.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris and their utility in other steppe birds

New microsatellite loci for Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris were isolated from a genomic library. We were able to unambiguously score six loci: two were dinucleotide, one trinucleotide, two tetranucleotide and one pentanucleotide that turned out to be sex-linked. Four out of six loci were polymorphic with 7–23 alleles in our population and an observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.286 and 0.936. Cross-utility of these markers was tested in other 17 steppe-bird species of six families. In addition, 16 microsatellite loci developed for other species were tested for cross-species amplification in A. campestris. Eight microsatellite markers were successfully amplified; seven of them were polymorphic with 2–43 alleles and an observed heterozygosity of 0.040–0.863. Overall, 14 functional locus markers have been characterized for A. campestris that could be useful for future studies of paternity, genetic variability and population structure.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus and their variability in two closely related species

A total of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus. In a sample of 29 individuals, these loci were found to possess two to 19 alleles with expected heterozygosity values ranging from 0·212 to 0·919 and all but one of the loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations. Many of these loci were polymorphic in the closely related species Fundulus olivaceus and Fundulus euryzonus providing a set of markers that should prove useful in future ecological and evolutionary studies of members of this species complex.     

Characterization of novel microsatellite loci in the great leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger and cross-amplification in other related species

Eight microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library of the great leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger. The polymorphism of these loci was tested on a population of 48 individuals from Anhui Province, China. All loci revealed the polymorphism ranging from three to 12 alleles. The observed heterozygosity values were from 0.213 to 0.875 and expected heterozygosity from 0.232 to 0.820. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. Two loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. In addition, successful cross-amplification also suggested that these microsatellite markers will facilitate research on the population genetics and gene flow of H. armiger and other related species.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the barley stem gall midge,Mayetiola hordei (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Ten microsatellites were isolated from the barley stem gall midge, Mayetiola hordei. Polymorphism at each locus was tested on 40 individual midges, among which 34 were collected on barley and six on wheat crops in Tunisia. Six loci were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from two to seven. The observed heterozygosity varied between 0.025 and 0.2. These microsatellite loci revealed a strong effect of host plant on the population genetic structure of M. hordei.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Lutjanus argentimaculatus, also called mangrove red snapper, is a commercially important fish in East Asia. A proper understanding of population structure is primarily linked with the management of genetic resources in exploiting marine fisheries. Herein, seven microsatellite loci, which showed high polymorphism (observed heterozygosity per locus ranging from 0.3571 to 0.7857 and expected heterozygosity per locus ranging from 0.6236 to 0.8821), were isolated and characterized from L. argentimaculatus. Cross‐species amplifications also indicate that primers designed for these loci may be useful for further studies about other closely phylogenetic species of the family Lutjanidae.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Analysis of 30 individuals showed the number of alleles ranged from four to 21 with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.300 to 0.833, and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.437 to 0.932. Cross‐species amplification was tested in four other cetacean species. These microsatellite markers would be valuable tools for population genetic studies of finless porpoises and other cetacean species.     

Additional microsatellites for Sparus aurata and cross‐species amplification within the Sparidae family

Six new microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in 32 individuals from a farm population of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Expected heterozygosity at all loci was high, ranging from 0.835 to 0.958 with between 10 and 27 alleles per locus. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction protocol was developed using four of the loci. Cross‐species amplification of the loci was tested in six species of the Sparidae family and four loci were successfully amplified in two or more related species.     

Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite loci in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and cross‐species amplification in other penaeid species

The goal of the present study was to obtain valuable microsatellite markers useful in genetic approaches of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, an important aquaculture species of the world. Eight loci produced suitable polymorphic patterns with allele number ranging from two to 12 and expected heterozygosity from 0.18 to 0.89. Cross‐species amplification was successfully performed in five other penaeid species (Litopenaeus schmitti, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, Farfantepenaeus paulensis, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri and Rimapenaeus constrictus), indicating that some these loci can be useful in studies of other related species.     

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Neotropical electric eel Eigenmannia (Teleostei: Gymnotiformes)

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated from a species of the Neotropical electric eel, Eigenmannia, a genus of freshwater fish characterized by small populations and low vagility. Nine microsatellites were polymorphic, the number of alleles ranging from seven to 27, and values of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.327 to 0.741. These loci were developed for population genetic studies of Eigenmannia sp. 2, however, cross‐amplification carried out with other species of this genus as well as other Gymnotiformes genera indicate that these molecular markers are also potentially useful for population‐level studies in closely related species.     

Microsatellite DNA primers for the endangered vermilion darter,Etheostoma chermocki,and cross‐species amplification in other darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

The endangered vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) is endemic to the Black Warrior River system in the Mobile Basin in Alabama. Restoration and conservation of this species require an understanding of its population genetic structure, which can be characterized using microsatellite DNA. Nine microsatellite loci were developed; eight loci were polymorphic. Although observed heterozygosity was lower than expected heterozygosity in most polymorphic loci, only one locus showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These nine markers were tested in an additional 24 species of Etheostoma and appear to have sufficient allelic variation to be useful in studies of population genetic structure.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers for the invasive ant species Anoplolepis gracilipes

We present primer sequences for eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the formicine ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, a serious pest species in South‐East Asia and Pacific islands and still spreading on all continents. Microsatellite loci were isolated with a highly efficient method of enrichment. The number of alleles ranged from two to 19 with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.842 to 1.0. The markers were designed for a sociogenetic study as well as for population genetics.     

Isolation and characterization of DNA microsatellite from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera,Hübner)

Five microsatellite loci of Helicoverpa armigera were isolated from a partial genomic library screened by oligonucleotide probes. Primers were designed to detect allelic variability and heterozygosity in 60 individuals collected from different host species. All loci were found to be polymorphic, have 8–11 alleles with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.81 to 0.88. Our results indicate that the five microsatellite loci could provide valuable markers for population genetic and ecological studies of the cotton bollworm.     

Eighteen microsatellite loci for endemic African weakly electric fish (Campylomormyrus,Mormyridae) and their cross species applicability among related taxa

We describe isolation and characterization of the first microsatellite loci specifically developed for African weakly electric fish (Mormyridae), for the genus Campylomormyrus. Seventeen of our 18 loci are polymorphic within the Campylomormyrus numenius species complex. The polymorphic loci showed four to 15 alleles per locus, an expected heterozygosity between 0.46 and 0.94, and an observed heterozygosity between 0.31 and 1.00. Most primers also yield reproducible results in several other mormyrid species. These loci comprise a set of molecular markers for various applications, from moderately polymorphic loci suitable for population studies to highly polymorphic loci for pedigree analysis in mormyrids.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Polytremis nascens (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and their cross-amplification in related species

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from a Chinese endemic species Polytremis nascens Leech. The isolated loci in 53 individuals from six regional populations in China had 3–12 alleles. Analyses revealed that 53 individuals had different multilocus genotypes, with the expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.61 to 0.90 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.33 to 0.71. Eleven loci showed no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg proportions, and eight were amplified successfully in at least one of the eight related species. The described isolated markers will facilitate the study of population genetic structure and gene flow in P. nascens as well as in congeneric and related species.     

Isolation and characterization of 15 microsatellite loci in four endangered Amentotaxus species (Taxaceae)

? Premise of the study: Fifteen microsatellite loci were developed in an endangered species, Amentotaxus formosana, and were tested in an additional three species, A. argotaenia, A. yunnanensis, and A. poilanei, to evaluate the population structure for conservation efforts and reconstruct the phylogeographic patterns of this ancient lineage. ? Methods and Results: Polymorphic primer sets were developed from A. formosana; the number of alleles ranged from two to 10, with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0 to 0.60. All of the loci were found to be interspecifically amplifiable. ? Conclusions: These polymorphic and transferable loci will be potentially useful for future studies that will focus on identifying distinct genetic units within species and establishing the phylogeographic patterns and the process of speciation among closely related species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) and cross‐species amplification

A total of five polymorphic microsatellites loci from Pseudoplatystoma corruscans were isolated and characterized. A population survey involving 43 specimens resolved a large number of alleles (range seven to eight among loci) and high observed heterozygosity (0.500–0.615), indicating its usefulness in population genetics studies. Cross‐species amplification was successful in four other Pimelodidae species.     

Isolation and characterization of 13 microsatellite loci in Rhinolophus pusillus (least horseshoe bat) with cross-amplification in five related species

We used the enriched genomic library method to isolate and characterize dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the least horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus pusillus. Seventeen loci were obtained and tested on 31 individuals sampled from Guangxi Province in southern China. Thirteen of these markers were polymorphic with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.821 to 0.909. A total of 164 alleles were detected and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 9 to 16 (mean 12.6). These polymorphic markers will be used to assess population structure in R. pusillus. In addition, successful cross-amplification in five congeneric bat species suggests most of these markers will also be useful for studying related species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

We described the isolation and characterization of 27 new microsatellite loci from olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. All loci were found to be polymorphic, and had between five and 22 alleles with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.161 to 1.0 in 31 individuals examined. These micorsatellite makers are likely to be useful for studies of genome mapping, mating systems and population genetics in this species.