A set of 21 polymorphic microsatellites in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

A cross‐species amplification test of 39 bovid microsatellite markers was carried out on chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), a species with a high economic and tourist value, for which a number of life‐history traits remain to be quantified. Of 39 primer pairs tested, 26 gave a specific amplification product and 21 were polymorphic. Locus‐specific allelic richness ranged from two to six. Our results suggest that these loci will be useful for investigating basic population genetics as well as life‐history traits, such as dispersal.     

A new set of highly polymorphic microsatellites for the white and black anglerfish (Lophiidae)

A microsatellite‐enriched genomic library was obtained using individuals of the black anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) and eight polymorphic microsatellites were successfully optimized. The genetic analysis of 50 black anglerfish individuals captured in the Cantabrian coasts revealed high polymorphism with a mean of number of alleles per locus of N_a = 10.5 (5–28 alleles) and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.740 (0.521–0.962). This microsatellite set was also functional with a sample from the white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorious) showing a high polymorphism.     

Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers for Radix balthica (Linnaeus 1758)

We present data for eight polymorphic microsatellite markers isolated from a microsatellite-enriched DNA library for the freshwater snail Radix balthica. Three of them were specific for R. balthica while five also amplified polymorphic products in two congeneric species. Test application on populations from all over the species range has shown that these loci are highly informative for analysing population structure and estimating migration rates. Observed deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are attributed to a mixed mating system.     

Development of eight polymorphic microsatellites for an Australasian rainforest tree species,Cryptocarya mackinnoniana (Lauraceae)

We developed eight microsatellite markers for Cryptocarya mackinnoniana to study the spatial genetic structure and ecological correlates of parentage in secondary rainforests in Australia's Wet Tropics. The microsatellite loci were screened in 99 trees, and 623 seedlings < 0.24 m tall, at a site extending from primary rainforest into adjacent 50‐year‐old secondary rainforest. The eight loci were polymorphic, exhibiting between three and 11 alleles, and gene diversity (H_E) from 0.25 to 0.84. For the trees, no departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected, except at locus Cm03, which had an estimated null allele frequency of 0.0903. No locus combinations exhibited linkage disequilibrium.     

A set of polymorphic DNA microsatellites useful in swamp and river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

DNA microsatellites have found widespread application in gene mapping, pedigree determination and population genetics. In closely related species such as bovids, heterologous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers may in some cases be used, bypassing the need to isolate and characterize microsatellite-containing sequences and design PCR primers. We report on the ability of a set of eighty bovine derived DNA microsatellite primers to amplify sequences in the two types (swamp and river) of water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ). Number of alleles and per cent heterozygosities in a large number of animals were determined on a subset of microsatellite loci selected on the robustness of the primers. These loci will form the basis of a set of polymorphic DNA markers for use in water buffalo.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites from Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has great commercial significance in Asia, but is an invasive organism in Europe and America. We isolated five novel microsatellites for E. sinensis. All five loci were polymorphic. The average allele number was 16.8 per locus with a range of 13 to 21, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.82 to 0.91 with an average of 0.88. These markers could be applicable to studies of the genetic diversity and population structure of E. sinensis.     

Eleven polymorphic microsatellites isolated from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

Eleven microsatellites were isolated from a genomic DNA library enriched for CA- and GA-repeats, and were characterized in 48 individuals of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. All 11 microsatellites were polymorphic with an average of allele number of 6.6 per locus. Genotypic distributions of these 11 markers were found to be in conformance with the expectations of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. All 11 markers were unlinked. These markers are being used to study the invasion routine, genetic diversity and population structure of the species P. clarkii.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the Potato Tuber Moth Tecia solanivora (Povolny, 1973) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from Tecia solanivora, one of the most serious pests of potato tubers in Central and South America. As found in other studies of Lepidoptera, development of microsatellites is a difficult task: in our case, despite the large number of clones sequenced (796), of which 70 were unique, only nine loci were found to be both variable, and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, No null alleles were detected. The loci were tested in three other co-occurring Gelechiidae species, one of which was variable. These loci will be used to provide a greater understanding of the genetic changes occurring during the invasive process in this species.     

Polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellites for Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) and Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)

We present primers and amplification conditions for 15 microsatellite loci developed for the Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei), 14 of which are tetranucleotide repeats. Cross-species amplification revealed 10 of these loci to also be polymorphic in the Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus). Several loci produced nonoverlapping allelic ranges between the two species and may be useful in species identification. These polymorphic microsatellite loci are potentially useful for future studies of population genetics in dicamptodontid salamanders.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites for the bastard sole (Microchirus azevia)

The bastard sole (Microchirus azevia) is a species of commercial interest in Spain. Nevertheless, little information is currently available about the genetic characteristics of wild populations. In this survey, we have developed eight new microsatellites using an enriched genome library protocol. Primers were screened on a total of 54 individuals from two wild populations (Mediterranean and Atlantic) from the south coast of Spain, revealing six to 18 alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.51 to 0.94. These markers can potentially be useful tools for use in population genetic studies.     

Assignment of five polymorphic ovine microsatellites to bovine syntenic groups

A panel of bovine somatic cell hybrids was used to map ovine microsatellites. Five of seven microsatellites were assigned to five bovine syntenic groups. These microsatellites were designated D5S10 (MAF23), D1S4 (MAF46), D13S1 (MAF18), D4S3 (MAF50), and DXS2 (MAF45), mapped to syntenic groups U3 (chromosome 5), U10 (chromosome 1), U11, U13, and the X chromosome, respectively. Two remaining sheep microsatellites amplified rodent DNA in the hybrid somatic cell panel, and were not assigned to bovine syntenic groups. Assignment of ovine-derived microsatellites to bovine syntenic groups provides additional evidence of the usefulness of microsatellites for mapping closely related species. The use of ovine and bovine microsatellites will aid in development of comparative genomic maps for these two species.     

A standard panel of microsatellites for Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Microsatellites are the most popular markers for parentage assignment and population genetic studies. To meet the demand for international comparability for genetic studies of Asian seabass, a standard panel of 28 microsatellites has been selected and characterized using the DNA of 24 individuals from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. The average allele number of these markers was 10.82 ± 0.71 (range: 6–19), and the expected heterozygosity averaged 0.76 ± 0.02 (range: 0.63–1.00). All microsatellites showed Mendelian inheritance. In addition, eight standard size controls have been developed by cloning a set of microsatellite alleles into a pGEM‐T vector to calibrate allele sizes determined by different laboratories, and are available upon request. Seven multiplex PCRs, each amplifying 3–5 markers, were optimized to accurately and rapidly genotype microsatellites. Parentage assignment using 10 microsatellites in two crosses (10 × 10 and 20 × 20) demonstrated a high power of these markers for revealing parent‐sibling connections. This standard set of microsatellites will standardize genetic diversity studies of Asian seabass, and the multiplex PCR sets will facilitate parentage assignment.     

Characterization of 155 EST-derived microsatellites from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and validation for linkage mapping

Microsatellite markers for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were identified from a collection of 30 630 expressed sequence tags. Primers were designed for 395 microsatellites and 155 were successfully amplified. Allele number varied from 1 to 26 (average 6.34). Average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.50 and 0.54, respectively. A subset of 105 microsatellites tested for Mendelian segregation showed no significant distortion of segregation when correcting for multiple tests. Null alleles were detected at four loci. Significant blastx matches were found for 23 loci. These microsatellites will be used to create a linkage map to enhance genetic selection in commercial cod breeding.     

Thirty‐four polymorphic microsatellites for European roe deer

The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an interesting model for molecular ecology studies because of its abundance and adaptability across a range of environments (including human‐modified habitats), and because of its increasing impacts on agricultural crops and on regenerating forests. We identify polymorphic microsatellites in two managed populations of roe deer in France by using cross‐species amplification of primers from other Cervids and from Bovids. Of the 62 primer pairs tested, 45 amplified microsatellites in roe deer, and 34 were polymorphic. Eleven primer pairs were selected for multiplex gel‐loading for routine genotyping of the studied populations.     

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.     

A multiplex set of microsatellite markers for the scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Cardueline finches have become important models in studies of sexual selection and evolution of carotenoid‐based ornamentation. Here, we describe eight new polymorphic microsatellites isolated from the Scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) and four from the House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). Together with the cross‐species amplification of additional loci, originally published for two species of songbirds, we optimized a multiplex panel for C. erythrinus allowing genotyping of 22 polymorphic loci. Number of alleles and heterozygosity per locus in a sample of 34 individuals ranged from three to 38 and from 0.27 to 0.94, respectively.     

Genetic assessment of population structure and connectivity in the threatened Mediterranean coral Astroides calycularis (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae) at different spatial scales

Understanding dispersal patterns, population structure and connectivity among populations is helpful in the management and conservation of threatened species. Molecular markers are useful tools as indirect estimators of these characteristics. In this study, we assess the population genetic structure of the orange coral Astroides calycularis in the Alboran Sea at local and regional scale, and at three localities outside of this basin. Bayesian clustering methods, traditional F-statistics and D(est) statistics were used to determine the patterns of genetic structure. Likelihood and coalescence approaches were used to infer migration patterns and effective population sizes. The results obtained reveal a high level of connectivity among localities separated by as much as 1 km and moderate levels of genetic differentiation among more distant localities, somewhat corresponding with a stepping-stone model of gene flow and connectivity. These data suggest that connectivity among populations of this coral is mainly driven by the biology of the species, with low dispersal abilities; in addition, hydrodynamic processes, oceanographic fronts and the distribution of rocky substrate along the coastline may influence larval dispersal.     

Sixteen polymorphic microsatellites in bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) and cross-amplification in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

A (GT)(n) enriched partial genomic library of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) was constructed by employing the (fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats) FIASCO protocol. Sixteen loci exhibited polymorphism with two to seven alleles/locus (mean 3.263) in a test population and the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.100 to 0.690 (mean 0.392). Eleven of the 16 bighead carp microsatellites were found to be also polymorphic in silver carp. These polymorphic loci should provide sufficient level of genetic diversity to evaluate population structure of bighead carp.