Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Sparganium emersum and cross‐species amplification in the related species S. erectum

We developed seven novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for the aquatic macrophyte Sparganium emersum (Sparganiaceae). These were characterized on 62 individuals collected from nine different populations. In this set of individuals, seven to 20 alleles per locus were detected and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.16 and 0.95. Cross‐species amplification was tested in the related species Sparganium erectum, and was successful for five of the seven microsatellite loci.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the polychaete tubeworm Hobsonia florida

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Hobsonia florida, a tube‐dwelling ampharetid polychaete. The identified loci were highly polymorphic, with allelic diversity ranging from six to 11 alleles. Levels of expected heterozygosity were 0.52 or greater in all cases, averaging 0.78 across the complete set of loci. Cross‐species amplification was successful in three of the eight loci for one or both of the other species (Melinna cristata and Ampharete acutifrons) tested. Although these novel loci were designed for immediate utility in H. florida population‐level research, these results indicate they may prove useful in studies of other related taxa.     

Development and cross‐amplification of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers in the deep‐sea hydrothermal vent polychaete Branchipolynoe seepensis

The hydrothermal vent polychaete Branchipolynoe seepensis lives commensally inside the mantel cavity of the bivalves Bathymodiolus azoricus and Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis that form dense mussel beds around hydrothermal vents on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. In order to study its dispersal capabilities and the way individuals develop and reproduce, nine microsatellite polymorphic markers were developed. Polymorphism was tested from three well‐separated populations ranging from 14°N to 35°N along the ridge and showed significant levels of genetic differentiation. Cross‐amplification tests in other polynoid species revealed that most loci could also be useful to study closely related species from both Atlantic and Pacific sites.     

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.     

Twelve microsatellites for two deep sea polychaete tubeworm species,Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi,from the Gulf of Mexico

The vestimentiferan tubeworms Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi are found at hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. Primers for polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from genomic libraries of L. luymesi (five loci) and from S. jonesi tissue (eight loci) and were used to screen individuals collected from nine northern Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon seep sites. Loci had from four to more than 50 alleles with high expected levels of heterozygosity. Cross‐species amplification, tested on seven vestimentiferan species including both hydrothermal vent and cold seep species, was generally strong in similar species but weak in more genetically distant species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in Labeo rohita and their cross‐species amplification in related species

The major Indian carps namely rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and calbasu (Labeo calbasu) are important freshwater species of the Indian subcontinent constituting over 65% of the fish produce. In the present study, isolation of 12 microsatellite loci from rohu has been reported. Cross‐species amplification in related carps and their implication in population genetic studies as well as selective breeding program were discussed.     

Primers for 10 polymorphic microsatellites from Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae,and cross‐amplification in other species within the Streptanthoid Complex (Brassicaceae)

Ten microsatellite primer pairs, developed from Caulanthus amplexicaulis var. barbarae (J. Howell) Munz, specifically amplified target loci across a diverse range of taxa from the Streptanthoid Complex, Brassicaceae. All primer pairs produced amplification products from at least 22 of the 23 accessions tested. Product size variation and observable heterozygosity were consistent with what would be expected from the amplification of polymorphic microsatellites across the complex. Our findings demonstrate that microsatellites developed for C. amplexicaulis var. barbarae will be useful for population‐genetic studies in taxa throughout the Streptanthoid Complex.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites isolated from the spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor) and cross‐species amplification in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Spotless and European starlings (Sturnus unicolor and Sturnus vulgaris) have attracted attention from researchers interested in sexual selection, evolution of parental care and reproductive strategies. Both species show high levels of intraspecific nest parasitism and extra‐pair paternity, but research in this area is hampered by a lack of molecular markers specific for these species. Here, we describe a set of primers for nine microsatellite loci in spotless starlings, eight of which are highly polymorphic (7.37 alleles in average). These microsatellites are also polymorphic in European starlings (6.75 alleles in average).     

Multiplex genotyping of novel microsatellites from silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) and cross‐amplification in other pomfret species

Eleven polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from an important foodfish species, silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus). The loci showed different variation patterns in 24 unrelated P. argenteus individuals, with a mean number of alleles of 11.5 and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.85. Eight of the 11 loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. All and six of the 11 markers amplified specific and polymorphic products in Chinese pomfret (Pampus sinesis) and dark pomfret (Pamus cinereus), respectively. These markers should be useful for population genetic analysis and biodiversity studies of P. argenteus and other pomfret species.     

Novel polymorphic microsatellites for the red‐legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and cross‐species amplification in Alectoris graeca

The red‐legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is an endemic species of the southwestern Mediterranean, and the most popular game bird in the Iberian Peninsula. A total of 27 microsatellite loci was isolated from an enriched genomic library of A. rufa. Six perfect GT microsatellites were characterized and optimized in 45 individuals of A. rufa. All loci revealed high levels of polymorphism with a number of alleles that ranged from three to 13. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.2 to 0.6. Cross‐species amplification showed that all loci were also polymorphic in rock partridge, Alectoris graeca. The new markers will be useful in determining hybridization between both species of Alectoris.     

Cross‐amplification of polymorphic microsatellites reveals extra‐pair paternity and brood parasitism in Sturnus vulgaris

We tested the cross‐amplification of 37 microsatellites in a population of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Twenty‐three of them amplified and five exhibited a large number of alleles per locus and high heterozygosity (on average: 14.6 alleles/locus and H_E = 0.704). We assessed the occurrence of extra‐pair paternity (EPP) and intraspecific brood parasitism (IBP) in this population. The EPP rate was 16% to 18% offspring from 43% to 45% of nests. IBP was very variable between two successive years (14% to 27% chicks from 25% to 64% of clutches). These five polymorphic markers will be of potential use in studies of genetic diversity, population structure and reproductive strategy of this species.     

Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers in the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and cross‐species amplification

Ten tetranucleotide, dinucleotide and compound microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the round goby, Neogobius melanostomus. Analysis of 64 gobies from one nonindigenous population in Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada, indicated that allele number varied from three to 12 per locus, while observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.33 and 0.86. Eight of these primers showed some amplification in other species in four genera. These newly developed microsatellite markers are a powerful tool that will provide insights into population structure and dispersal of the round goby in their novel environment.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Leuciscus cephalus (Cypriniformes,Cyprinidae) and cross‐species amplification within the family Cyprinidae

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from Leuciscus cephalus, a widespread cyprinid species with great ecological tolerance. Together with the cross‐species amplification of six additional loci originally published for three cyprinid fish species, we optimized a multiplex panel for L. cephalus allowing the genotyping of 19 polymorphic loci. Number of alleles and heterozygosity per locus in a sample of 20 fish individuals ranged from two to 16 and from 0.05 to 0.90, respectively. These primers will be useful in determining the population structure of L. cephalus. In addition, successful cross‐amplification was obtained for several species of Cyprinidae.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Neogobius kessleri (Perciformes,Gobiidae) and cross‐species amplification within the family Gobiidae

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from Neogobius kessleri, a benthic fish of Ponto‐Caspian origin which has been recently introduced into the Middle and Upper Danube River. Number of alleles and heterozygosity per locus in a sample of 32 fish individuals ranged from two to four and from 0.13 to 0.75, respectively. These primers will be useful in determining the population structure of N. kessleri. In addition, successful cross‐amplification was obtained for four related species, N. melanostomus, N. fluviatilis, N. gymnotrachelus and Proterorhinus marmoratus. These microsatellite loci may be useful for the evaluation of the origin of non‐native goby populations.     

Isolation and cross‐familial amplification of 41 microsatellites for the brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis)

The brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis; Osteichthyes: Salmonidae) is a phenotypically diverse fish species inhabiting much of North America. But relatively few genetic diagnostic resources are available for this fish species. We isolated 41 microsatellites from S. fontinalis polymorphic in one or more species of salmonid fish. Thirty‐seven were polymorphic in brook charr, 15 in the congener Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and 14 in the lake charr (Salvelinus namaycush). Polymorphism was also relatively high in Oncorhynchus, where 21 loci were polymorphic in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and 16 in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) but only seven and four microsatellite loci were polymorphic in the more distantly related lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), respectively. One duplicated locus (Sfo228Lav) was polymorphic at both duplicates in S. fontinalis.     

Multiplex panels of polymorphic microsatellite loci for two cryptic bat species of the genus Pipistrellus,developed by cross‐species amplification within the family Vespertilionidae

The paper presents multiplex panels of polymorphic microsatellites for two closely related cryptic species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus. We tested the cross‐species amplification of 34 microsatellite loci, originally developed for five vespertilionid bat species. Ten and nine polymorphic loci in P. pipistrellus (mean number of alleles per locus = 10.5) and P. pygmaeus (8.1), respectively, in three multiplex polymerase chain reactions per species were amplified. All loci can be analysed in a single fragment analysis and can be used as markers to the study of evolution and the ecology of structured populations of socially living bats.     

New polymorphic microsatellite loci,cross‐species amplification and PCR multiplexing in the black aphid,Aphis fabae Scopoli

Aphis fabae includes four morphological cryptic subspecies, which are mostly identified by their partially distinct secondary host range. To determine the extent of gene flow and isolation between these four taxa, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci from Aphis fabae fabae and tested cross‐species amplification of eight loci from the closely related species Aphis gossypii. Using eight previously described microsatellite loci, we have developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplexing of 24 loci, which were separated in tree sets and five PCRs. These sets of microsatellite loci provide high throughput capacity for large‐scale population genetic studies at a minimum cost.     

A set of polymorphic microsatellite loci for Vriesea gigantea and Alcantarea imperialis (Bromeliaceae) and cross‐amplification in other bromeliad species

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in two species of Bromeliaceae: Vriesea gigantea and Alcantarea imperialis. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from three to 16. The loci will be used for studies of the genetic structure of natural populations, reproductive biology, and evolutionary relationships among and within these genera. A cross‐amplification test in 22 taxa suggests that the markers will be useful for similar applications in numerous other bromeliad species.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers from the marine invasive species Crepidula fornicata (Gastropoda: Calyptraeidae)

Many marine organisms have pelagic larvae and these are often important agents of dispersal and establishment of exotic species. The larval phase and the hermaphroditic reproductive system of the invasive marine gastropod Crepidula fornicata are crucial in determining the success of this species along the European coasts. To analyse these factors, we developed seven microsatellite loci specific to C. fornicata. On the same set of individuals, the microsatellite loci exhibited a greater level of polymorphism than previously studied allozyme markers and, thus, will permit fine‐scale analysis and larval pool studies.     

Characterization of microsatellite DNA markers for a mahseer species,Tor tambroides (Cyprinidae) and cross‐amplification in four congeners

This study reports the isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers in a mahseer species, Tor tambroides (Pisces, Cyprinidae). Of a total of 14 loci evaluated, 10 were polymorphic in T. tambroides samples, with an average of 2.86 alleles per locus. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed at one locus and there was no indication of linkage disequilibrium among loci. A high level of cross‐amplification among four congeners was achieved, with 12 loci successfully amplifying and 11 loci showing polymorphism in at least one other species. These markers will be a useful resource for population genetic studies and broodstock management of closely related mahseer species.