Fifteen polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers from expressed sequence tags of Liriodendron tulipifera

We developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Liriodendron tulipifera. Characteristics of 15 EST‐SSR loci were investigated using 33 L. tulipifera individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to five. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.216 to 0.751 and from 0.182 to 0.97, respectively. These loci were further tested for their cross‐species transferability to Liriodendron Chinense. Because of their high level of polymorphism and transferability, our 15 single‐locus EST‐SSR markers will be valuable tools for research on mating system, population genetics and systemic evolution of Liriodendron.     

Development and characteristics of microsatellite markers in Pinus merkusii

Pinus merkusii is an important industrial species that is distributed only in Southeast Asia. We isolated 10 microsatellite markers from this species using a dual‐suppression‐polymerase chain reaction technique. Of these markers, five loci were codominant and polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to six and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.389 to 0.728. These microsatellite markers will be available for analysis on population genetics and mating patterns.     

Isolation and characterization of fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers in the viperine snake Natrix maura

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and developed for Natrix maura. Polymorphism was assessed for 120 individuals sampled across four sampling sites from the French Pyrenees Mountains. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 15, and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.227 to 0.863. We tested for deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium and assessed the presence of null alleles for all loci, resulting in a selection of 14 high‐quality polymorphic markers. These markers will be extremely useful in identifying fine‐scale genetic structures and providing insight into conservation management plans of this species.     

Identification and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers developed in ide Leuciscus idus and Siberian roach Rutilus rutilus

The first five microsatellite markers for the ide, Leuciscus idus, and four microsatellite markers for the Siberian roach, Rutilus rutilus, were designed. Cross‐amplification of ide markers was examined in Siberian roach and vice versa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 13 in ide and from two to eight in roach. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.313 to 0.909 in ide and from 0.119 to 0.775 in roach. These markers could be used to evaluate the genetic population structure of these species and other fish from the Cyprinidae family.     

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Steere's Liocichla (Liocichla steerii)

For the Steere's Liocichla (Liocichla steerii) we developed seven polymorphic microsatellite markers from a partial genomic library enriched for GATA, tetranucleotide repeats. Among the 27–28 individuals screened, allelic diversity ranged from six to 19 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity of each locus ranged from 0.250 to 0.889. All loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations except for two that appeared to be Z‐Iinked; such Z‐Iinked loci can be used in studies of male dispersal.     

Characterization of 29 polymorphic artiodactyl microsatellite markers for the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus)

We report the results of a cross‐species amplification test of 156 bovine, ovine and cervid microsatellite markers in a wild population of mountain goats, Oreamnos americanus, inhabiting Caw Ridge, Alberta, Canada. Twenty‐nine markers were found to be low to moderately polymorphic with between two to nine alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.14 to 0.85 for a sample of 215 mountain goats. This set of markers will be used in parentage analyses to construct the pedigree of the long‐term studied population and to investigate the effects of individual genetic variability on life‐history traits.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for a fig‐pollinating wasp (Ceratosolen sp. 1) of Ficus septica

For an undescribed fig‐pollinating wasp (Ceratosolen sp. 1) of Ficus septica, we isolated 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers from a genomic library partially enriched for GATA and CAG repeats. Polymorphism of these loci was evaluated by genotyping 40 female individuals collected from different fruits of host trees in southern Taiwan. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 15 and the observed heterozygosity of each locus ranged from 0.100 to 0.775. These loci would be suitable for further studies concerning population genetics, hybridization and sex ratio adjustment of the coexisting fig‐pollinating wasps.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from the lek‐breeding ruff (Philomachus pugnax) using an enrichment cloning procedure. The number of alleles resolved per locus ranged from five to 56, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.311 to 0.857 in a sample of 319 ruffs from Gotland, Sweden. Two loci were located on the Z chromosome, rendering all females hemizygotes. These markers are effective in the assignment of parentage and determining male mating success.     

Development of EST‐SSRs in the Mediterranean blue mussel,Mytilus galloproviancialis

Eight polymorphic microsatellite repeat markers were identified from Mytilus galloproviancialis, expressed sequence tags (EST) deposited in public sequence database. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 10, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.029 to 0.872 and from 0.031 to 0.811, respectively. Three additional Mytiloida species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed four loci could give positive amplifications. EST‐derived simple sequence repeats provide robust, informative and potentially transferable polymorphic markers suitable for population genetic, parentage, and mapping studies of M. galloproviancialis.     

Isolation and characterization of 22 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers of Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus)

Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus) inhabits the coast of East Asia and is cage‐cultured currently in China as well. Twenty‐two microsatellite DNA markers were developed and used to type 35 individuals collected along the Chinese coast. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 23. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.111 to 0.938, while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.114 to 0.914. All 22 loci are neutral and independent of each other; two deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellite DNA markers are moderately informative, which will certainly facilitate the management and exploitation of the genetic resource of L. japonicus.     

Development of 51 genomic microsatellite DNA markers of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) and their application in closely related species

Fifty‐one microsatellite DNA markers of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) were developed. All of the markers detected moderate allelic variation. The number of alleles for each locus ranged from two to 10. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.10 to 0.63 and from 0.23 to 0.77, respectively. Three additional fish species of family Poeciliidae were used for the cross‐species amplification of these markers. It was found that only four to 16 markers detected polymorphism in these three fish species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in a marine fish species,the tusk (Brosme brosme)

We developed polymerase chain reaction primers for nine dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the marine deep‐sea fish, the tusk (Brosme brosme). All markers were obtained from a partial genomic DNA library, and characterized in 100 unrelated individuals from one putative population. The number of alleles ranged from two to 60 with an average of 15/locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.020 to 0.826 (average 0.438). Several of the markers amplified multiple alleles from the two other gadoid species tested.     

Development and characterization of 30 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Atlantic surfclam, Spisula solidissima (Dillwyn, 1817)

Thirty polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the Atlantic surfclam, Spisula solidissima, from an enriched library and characterized in 24 clams from a wild population. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 16 per locus. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.1942 to 0.9238 and 0.0833 to 0.875 respectively. Six loci showed significant (P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction) deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, probably because of the presence of null alleles. Three primer pairs amplified duplicated loci with two involving tandem mini‐satellite repeats. Most of the microsatellite markers developed here should be useful for genetic studies in this species.     

Ten novel microsatellite loci characterized for a remarkably widespread fish: Galaxias maculatus (Galaxiidae)

Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers (five tetra‐, one compound tetra‐, one octa‐ and three dinucleotides) were isolated and characterized for Galaxias maculatus, a fish species widely distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. Markers were tested in 89 individual samples from a single location and the number of alleles ranged between 2 and 28. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.103 to 0.910 and 0.098 to 0.935 respectively. No evidence was detected for either linkage disequilibrium (P‐values > 0.05 for each locus pair) or deviations from HWE (P‐values > 0.05 for every loci).     

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers developed in the green leaf bug,Lygus lucorum Meyer‐Dür (Hemiptera: Miridae)

We developed eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for the green leaf bug, Lygus lucorum Meyer‐Dür. The number of observed alleles per locus in 48 individuals ranged from three to 13, whereas the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.133 to 0.810 and from 0.236 to 0.886, respectively. Cross‐species amplifications were conducted both within and between generas, and the amplification results indicated that these primers enriched for L. lucorum Meyer‐Dür are species‐specific.     

Novel microsatellite markers for Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) population delineation and broodstock management

Twenty‐one new disomic, polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were isolated in Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus. These markers yielded a total of 220 alleles in a survey of 16 fish; two to 21 alleles/locus were observed. Each locus segregated in a Mendelian fashion when tested in a family, and a set of 14 of the loci distinguished between siblings and half‐siblings. Average observed heterozygosity ranged from 18.8 to 100.0%, and no linkage disequilibrium was detected. These loci should detect sufficient genetic diversity to allow kinship analysis for broodstock management, gene marking for stocking assessment and life history studies, and delineation of fine‐scale population structure.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for two dioecious Ficus species

Microsatellite markers for Ficus montana and Ficus septica were developed using genomic libraries enriched for di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide repeats. The subsets of five and three best scorable primer pairs were characterized on 24 F. montana and 36 F. septica individuals, respectively. For F. montana, loci showed five to 14 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities ranged between 0.23 and 0.87. For F. septica, loci showed three to five alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities ranged between 0.36 and 0.49. Four primer pairs (two from each subset) cross‐amplified in the other species, indicating transportability of the markers within the genus Ficus.     

Identification and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers developed in an endangered cyprinid of the Mekong River,the seven‐line barb (Probarbus jullieni Sauvage, 1880)

Microsatellite markers for an endangered cyprinid species of the Mekong River, the seven‐line barb (Probarbus jullieni Sauvage, 1880) were developed from the wild caught samples using (GT)₁₅ probe. The number of alleles per locus ranged from seven to 16. The expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.47 to 0.91. Also, these primers were successfully amplified in the two closely related species, P. labeamajor and P. labeaminor. These markers have proven to be very useful for the population genetic structure study in this species and other related cyprinids.     

Studies in conservation genetics of tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) — V. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci

The tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, supports important recreational fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Declines in segments of these fisheries have prompted questions concerning genetic stock structure in this species. Preparatory to a survey of genetic variation in tarpon, 15 microsatellite markers were isolated. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 10 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.091 to 0.765, providing potentially useful markers for the detection of within‐ and among‐population genetic variability.     

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.