Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in wheat stem sawfly Cephus cinctus and cross‐species amplification in related species

The wheat stem sawfly is an important insect pest of wheat that can cause significant damage to yield and grain quality. Five microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus, to facilitate future population genetic studies and help delineate their geographical origin. These loci were found to be polymorphic with an expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.304 to 0.937 and an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.05 to 0.65. Successful cross‐species amplification demonstrates the potential for these markers to provide a valuable tool for future population studies among related Cephus species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata and cross‐species amplification within the genus Seriola

We developed five microsatellite primer pairs for the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata. The loci were highly polymorphic, with eight to 14 alleles per locus, and can be used to study kinship and/or population structure. Many of these primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci in cross‐species amplification tests for two other Seriola species (S. lalandi and S. dumerili).     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Drosophila montana and their cross‐species amplification in D. virilis

We report the isolation of 20 microsatellite loci from Drosophila montana and their cross amplification in the relative D. virilis. All microsatellite loci were polymorphic in the focal species D. montana, with gene diversities ranging from 0.23 to 0.93. In D. virilis only eight loci (40%) amplified and two loci were polymorphic (10%). These markers represent the first report of microsatellites isolated in D. montana. They could be applied for studying population structure and phylogeography. The largest benefit, however, will be their use in studies of quantitative trait loci, such as the mapping of behavioural quantitative trait loci.     

Development and characterization of 10 novel microsatellite markers from Chital deer (Cervus axis) and their cross–amplification in other related species

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Chital deer (Cervus axis). These loci show high levels of allelic diversity with four to eight alleles per locus in the 22 individuals of the free‐ranging population of Chital deer in Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. In addition, we found that all the loci show cross–amplification in closely related as well as distantly related deer species. The amplification of these markers in different genera further indicates that these can be applied to a wide range of endangered deer species for their population genetics studies and conservation management.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) and cross‐species amplification within the genus Ulmus

Ulmus laevis Pall. is a broad‐leaved deciduous tree with a central and eastern European distribution. We describe the development of six polymorphic microsatellite markers for this species. These markers were also tested for utility in U. americana, U. glabra, U. minor and U. pumila. One additional marker gave ambiguous results in U. laevis but amplified clearly in three other species. In U. laevis, the number of alleles observed per locus ranged from two to nine. Five loci showed polymorphism in at least one of the nontarget species tested.     

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.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from an EST library of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and cross‐species amplification

In the present study, we report 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed from a cDNA library from the turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.20 to 1.00 and from 0.18 to 0.78, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found, but two loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. Cross‐species amplifications of these microsatellites in five additional fish species revealed between five and 11 positive amplifications and between zero and four polymorphic loci per species.     

Development of novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based microsatellite markers in Armillaria gallica by cross‐species amplification and species‐specific cloning

Cross‐species PCR amplification of Armillaria mellea group taxa with previously reported A. ostoyae microsatellite markers, indicative of flanking sequence conservation, was exploited for the species‐specific isolation of simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs from A. gallica. Six SSR motifs were sequence characterized from cloned PCR fragments generated with primers previously developed from A. ostoyae. Five novel primer pairs, designed from motif flanking regions, allowed for improved, efficient amplification in this species. One original A. ostoyae primer pair was used directly. Polymorphims were observed at wide geographical levels only. Relative cross‐species amplification intensities generally supported the currently accepted molecular phylogeny of this group.     

Isolation,characterization and cross‐salmonid amplification of 31 microsatellite loci in the lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis,Mitchill)

Coregonine fish represent the most successful evolutionary lineage of salmonids with Coregonus as the most speciose salmonid genus inhabiting numerous postglacial lakes across the northern hemisphere. We isolated and characterized 31 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Coregonus clupeaformis with an average number of 5.3 alleles per locus (range three to eight) and an overall expected heterozygosity of 0.74 ± 0.11. Two loci revealed significant linkage associations through analyses of mapping families. Six additional salmonid taxa assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed between 18 and 26 positive amplifications and between two and 12 polymorphic loci per species.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in the Jamaican fruit‐eating bat Artibeus jamaicensis and cross‐species amplification

Artibeus jamaicensis is one of the most common bat species in the neotropics, with a well‐defined polygynous social structure in caves. In order to study behaviour and to examine patterns of paternity and relatedness between different harem groups, we developed 14 microsatellite loci from two different enriched genomic libraries. We screened 125 individuals from two different bat colonies and found that polymorphism ranged from five to 13 alleles. Heterozygosity ranged from 63 to 95%. The primers amplified across 14 bat species, indicating their potential utility for population‐level studies in several closely related bat species.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and cross‐amplification in other cyprinid species

Captive populations of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), a major aquaculture species in Asia, would undoubtedly benefit from genetic monitoring and improvement programs. We report the isolation and preliminary characterization of 16 microsatellite loci derived from both conventional and microsatellite‐enriched libraries. Inheritance studies confirmed the allelic nature of observed polymorphisms at all loci, while identifying null alleles at two loci. These loci, having varying degrees of polymorphism, should provide useful markers for applied genetic studies. A high degree of cross‐amplification among 10 other cyprinid species suggests that these loci may have more widespread utility.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from an EST‐library of red sea bream (Chrysophrys major) and cross‐species amplification

Microsatellite markers have been developed from a complementary DNA (cDNA) library of red sea bream, Chrysophrys major. Twenty‐eight microsatellites were selected for designing microsatellite primers, of which 11 gave working primer pairs. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.33 to 1.00 and from 0.38 to 0.83, respectively. Five additional fish species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed between one and six positive amplifications and between 0 and 6 polymorphic loci per species.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa and cross‐species amplification

Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa (Fabaceae) are closely related hardwood arboreal species that are widely distributed in the arid regions of Argentina. The development of highly polymorphic markers, such as microsatellites, is desirable for genetic studies of these species. Here, we present the development and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite markers in P. chilensis and P. flexuosa. These markers showed a polymorphism information content between 0.14 and 0.85 and the number of alleles varied from two to 13 considering both species. All markers revealed a broad cross‐species affinity when tested in seven other Prosopis species. All primers amplified in at least five species.     

Isolation,characterization and cross‐species amplification of microsatellite DNA loci in the tropical American yam Dioscorea trifida

We developed microsatellite markers in American yam (Dioscorea trifida). A microsatellite sequence‐enriched genomic library was screened, and after sequencing, primers were designed for 20 microsatellites. Among these, eight primer pairs yielded amplification products that were both interpretable and polymorphic in 24 yam cultivars. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13 and the overall expected heterozygosity was around 0.5. Six of the eight Dioscorea trifida microsatellite loci gave amplification products in other Dioscorea species.     

Identification of polymorphic microsatellite markers from RAPD product in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and a test of cross‐species amplification

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci have been isolated and characterized from random amplified polymorphic DNA product in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. Twelve microsatellites were selected for designing microsatellite primers, of which five gave working primer pairs. They had between four and nine alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.76 to 0.90 and from 0.63 to 0.83, respectively. Five additional fish species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed between one and three positive amplifications and between zero and two polymorphic loci per species.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) and cross‐amplification in other penguin species

The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) was once very common throughout its range along the coast of Peru and Chile. Today, listed as endangered, it is crucial to gain an understanding of gene flow and levels of genetic variation between breeding colonies to protect this species effectively. We developed seven microsatellite primers to investigate gene flow and population structure among four colonies. Locus‐specific allelic diversity ranges from five to 11 alleles and observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.50 to 0.88. These markers cross‐amplify in eight penguin species over five genera.     

Identification of microsatellite loci from Epimedium koreanum and cross‐species amplification in four species of Epimedium (Berberidaceae)

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from a trinucleotide enriched partial genomic library of Epimedium koreanum. The average allele number of these microsatellites was 5.9 per locus, ranging from two to 11. The observed heterozygosity (H_O) and expected heterozygosity (H_E) at the population level were 0.00–0.90 and 0.12–0.90, respectively. In addition, the results of cross‐species amplification of this set of microsatellite markers in four closely related Epimedium species, E. brevicornum, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens and E. wushanense, revealed that these microsatellite markers were useful for population genetic structure evaluation and genotype analysis of major Epimedium species that have been used as traditional Chinese medicines.     

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Iberian rock lizard species,Iberolacerta cyreni,and cross‐species priming in other Iberolacerta species

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci are described for the Iberian rock lizard species, Iberolacerta cyreni. Loci were isolated from a partial genomic library that had been enriched for AAAG repeat sequence. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13 in a sample of 24 individuals from the Sierra de Guadarrama (central Spain). Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.13 to 0.96. At least three loci were amplified and polymorphic in four other Iberian rock lizard species: Iberolacerta monticola, Iberolacerta bonnali, Iberolacerta aranica and Iberolacerta aurelioi. These markers will be used to study mating strategies and reproductive success in I. cyreni.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci in Leporinus macrocephalus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) and cross‐species amplification

Leporinus macrocephalus is a species endemic to the Paraguay River basin and an important fishery resource, as well as a valuable species in aquaculture programs. A total of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized. A population survey was conducted involving 45 specimens whereby a large number of alleles (range 5–17 among loci), a highly observed (0.1667–0.6129) and an expected (0.6967–0.9448) heterozygosity was detected, indicating its usefulness in population genetics studies. Cross‐species amplification was successful in eight Characiformes species.     

Characterization and cross‐species amplification of microsatellite loci in a Cyprinodon species flock

In this study, two new microsatellite loci from a library of Cyprinodon beltrani from Laguna Chichancanab, Mexico, were characterized. Additionally, cross‐species amplification with primer pairs developed for other Cyprinodon species was performed. The 11 markers show moderate to high levels of polymorphism (two to 33 alleles) in six species of the Cyprinodon flock from Laguna Chichancanab and in their sister species Cyprinodon artifrons. These loci were characterized for population genetic study to detect gene flow between the different endemic pupfish species.