Novel polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers from Malaysian giant freshwater prawn, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium rosenbergii</Emphasis>

Seven single locus microsatellite markers were characterized in Malaysian giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii from an enriched genomic library Primer pairs were designed to flank the repeat sequences and the loci characterized for this species. The bands resulting from the PCR amplifications of these eight microsatellite loci were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from 8 to 26 alleles per locus, whereas the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.0641 to 0.6564. These newly developed microsatellite markers should prove to be useful for population studies and in the management of genetic variations in broodstocks of freshwater prawn, M. rosenbergii.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for the endangered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus yunnanensis</Emphasis>

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized for the endangered conifer Taxus yunnanensis. Eight loci were isolated through SSR-anchored PCR, one locus was developed by cross-species amplification tests, while the last two loci were obtained from cross-species microsatellite sequences available in GenBank. Variability of these markers was tested in 48 individuals collected from its main distribution range in Southwest China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9, and the observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.000 to 0.625 and from 0.062 to 0.853, respectively. Ten of these eleven loci were significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectation, except TS07 which showed a distinct heterozygote excess. The availability of these new polymorphic microsatellite markers will provide an ideal marker system for detailed population genetics studies in T. yunnanensis and potentially also for closely related species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Lesquerella fendleri (Brassicaceae) and cross‐species amplification

Fifteen novel microsatellite primer pairs are presented for Lesquerella fendleri, which were developed from seven dinucleotide, five trinucleotide and three tetranucleotide microsatellite DNA loci. These loci were characterized for 40 individuals from 24 localities throughout the species range. The number of alleles observed per locus ranged from three to 16, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.175 to 0.750, and the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.218 to 0.889. Cross‐species transferability tested on nine species of Lesquerella and one species of the related genus Physaria indicates that these primer pairs may be useful for population genetic studies of other species in Lesquerella and possibly other closely related genera.     

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.     

Tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba Meyen, 1833)

Five tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). Characterization of these loci revealed between three and 11 alleles at each locus and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.192 to 0.775. All sets of primers amplified homologous loci when tested on four related species and showed polymorphisms in most locus–species combinations. A sixth microsatellite, which appeared to be monomorphic in the striped dolphin, was also shown to be polymorphic in three related species.     

Microsatellite DNA loci from the typical halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thellungiella salsuginea</Emphasis> (Brassicaceae)

Thellungiella salsuginea (Brassiaceae) is a typical halophyte which can tolerate extreme cold, drought, and salinity. In order to understand the adaptive evolution of this species in the arid habitats, it is important to know its genetic structure. In this study, 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from an enrichment genomic library of this species. We further assessed the polymorphisms of each locus in 18 individuals from nine geographically distant populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six to fourteen. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.17 to 0.28 and 0.32 to 0.45, respectively. These markers have been crossly checked in another congeneric species, T. halophila. These microsatellite markers will be useful for investigating population genetics and adaptive evolution of this species and morphological divergence between and it and the closely related species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in the white‐winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)

We have isolated and characterized seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in the white‐winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos), a highly social, cooperatively breeding bird of Australian eucalypt woodlands. In analyses of 100 samples from 16 family groups, the number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 18, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.46 and 0.93. One locus appears to be sex‐linked. The primers were also tested in apostlebirds (Struthidera cinerea), the only other species in the subfamily Corcoracinae. Five loci were successfully amplified and three were polymorphic.     

Cloning and characterization of novel microsatellite DNA markers for the grass rockfish,Sebastes rastrelliger,and cross‐species amplification in 10 related Sebastes spp

Here we report development and characterization of seven polymorphic loci derived from grass rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger) genomic DNA phagemid libraries enriched for microsatellite motifs. Within grass rockfish, average allelic diversity was 11.3 alleles per locus and average heterozygosity was 0.73. The seven loci also were surveyed in 10 related species of Sebastes, where allelic diversity ranged from highly polymorphic to monomorphic. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg were nonsignificant in all but one species/locus combination suggesting low occurrence of null alleles. Significant linkage disequilibrium was detected among three loci, but these events were limited to a single species in each case.     

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 markers in two basidiomycete species: Pleurotus eryngii and P. ferulae

Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the closed basidiomycete species Pleurotus eryngii and P. ferulae using an enriched genomic library. The number of alleles per locus varied between two and eight and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.30 to 0.72 in P. eryngii and from 0.20 to 0.73 in P. ferulae. This enrichment technique is useful in those species where microsatellite loci are rare in the genome.     

Eleven novel polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers from the green-lipped mussel, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna viridis</Emphasis>

We report on the characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in P. viridis, the first set of such markers developed and characterized for this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7, whereas the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.0447 to 0.4837. These markers should prove useful as powerful genetic markers for this species. This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Puerto Rican crested anole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anolis cristatellus</Emphasis>) and their amplification in related Puerto Rican species

We isolate six highly polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Puerto Rican crested anole (Anolis cristatellus) from a genomic library enriched for CA repeats. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 14 to 19, with levels of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.60 to 0.73. Most of these loci were successfully cross-amplified in other members of the cristatellus species group (A. evermanni, A. gundlachi, A. krugi, A. stratulus), but levels of polymorphism were lower.     

Identification and characterization of eight microsatellite loci in Machilus pseudokobu (Lauraceae), an endemic species of the Bonin Islands

Eight microsatellite loci were identified and characterized for the endangered Machilus pseudokobu (Lauraceae), an endemic tree species of the Bonin Islands. The observed number of alleles at each locus ranged from 1 to 20 with an average of 6.2, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.83 with an average of 0.47. All eight loci were screened in cross-amplification tests for two other endemic Machilus species that also inhabit the Bonin Islands. All loci were successfully amplified in these species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melicope quadrilocularis</Emphasis> (Rutaceae), an endemic plant species of the Bonin Islands,Japan, and cross-species amplification in closely related taxa

Twelve microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Melicope quadrilocularis, an insular endemic tree species of the Bonin Islands. The observed number of alleles at each locus ranged from 1 to 18. The range of expected heterozygosity was 0.0000–0.9445. The inter-specific applicability of these loci was evaluated by analyzing two other endemic species and one endemic variety of Melicope that are also distributed on the Bonin Islands. All primer pairs for the 12 loci tested successfully amplified the loci in all taxa, except for primers for four loci in M. nishimurae.     

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.     

Application of microsatellite markers developed for arvicoline species in a population genetic study of the root vole <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus oeconomus</Emphasis>

Using a root vole Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776) population in NE Poland we applied 31 microsatellite markers previously developed for root voles and closely related species, with the aim to improve the population genetic tools in this species. Here we present 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers grouped into four sets suitable for simultaneous amplification and genetically sex identification in M. oeconomus. The number of alleles per locus in 227 individuals varied from 7 to 26 with a low frequency of null alleles, expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.758 to 0.927, and observed heterozygosity from 0.722 to 0.947. Two loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p<0.05) and all loci showed independent inheritance. We expect these markers to be useful for studies of genetic population structure and kinship of M. oeconomus populations.     

Isolation and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Insecta,Thysanoptera)

Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers can provide important demographic information on founder events and range expansion following initial introduction of invasive insect species. Six microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched DNA library in order to study the invasion patterns of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. All loci tested were found to be polymorphic and successfully amplified in all individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to nine and heterozygosity ranged from 45 to 73%. Some of the loci were also successfully amplified in other thrips species.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci from Phaedranassa tunguraguae (Amaryllidaceae)

Phaedranassa tunguraguae is an endangered species endemic to Ecuador. Eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library for this species. Levels of polymorphism were evaluated using a total of 31 individuals from a single natural population. An average of 14.1 alleles per locus was detected, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.387 to 0.903. All but one locus depart significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These loci are the first microsatellite primers isolated for Amaryllidaceae and will be utilized to investigate patterns of genetic variation of P. tunguraguae, which will contribute data relevant to the conservation of the species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the highland papaya Vasconcellea × heilbornii V. Badillo (Caricaceae)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in the tropical plant Vasconcellea ×heilbornii and used to estimate allelic diversity in two populations of southern Ecuador. Allelic richness ranged from two to five alleles, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.150 to 0.947 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.186 to 0.701. Most of these markers also amplified microsatellite loci in two other Vasconcellea species (Vasconcellea stipulata and Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis). Hence, these markers will be useful for population genetic analysis and the evaluation of genetic diversity and gene flow in these species.     

Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the endangered land snail,Trichia caelata (Gastropoda,Stylommatophora)

Eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci are presented for the endangered land snail Trichia caelata, a rare species endemic to the Northwestern Jura mountains, Switzerland. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 17. At seven loci, the expected heterozygosity differed significantly from observed heterozygosity. No evidence for linkage disequilibrium was detected between locus pairs. We are currently using these markers to investigate the genetic population structure of T. caelata in its restricted distribution area.