Extremely variable di‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in Brazilian free‐tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis)

We present three dinucleotide and six tetranucleotide microsatellite loci that were developed for the Brazilian free‐tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera, Molossidae). Ninety‐one individuals from two populations were scored at each locus, revealing extremely high levels of polymorphism (15–55 alleles per locus). These loci provide genetic markers for studying gene flow, migration and mating behaviour.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommiaceae)

Twenty‐three microsatellite markers were developed from an AC‐enriched genomic library of Eucommia ulmoides, an economically important tree species for both herbal medicine and organic chemical industry in China. Nineteen microsatellite loci were found polymorphic by testing 36 individuals from 10 populations, with two to 14 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.054 to 0.874. This set of microsatellite markers has provided a useful tool for the ongoing efforts in studying population genetic structure of E. ulmoides.     

Development of microsatellite markers for southern catfish (Silurus meriaionalis) and cross‐species amplification in northern sheatfish (Silurus soldatovi)

Forty microsatellite markers were developed from a (CA)_n enrichment library created from the DNA of southern catfish (Silurus meriaionalis). Also, the population structure of northern sheatfish (Silurus soldatovi) was examined by 24 microsatellite loci. They are polymorphic in at least one of the two geographically distant populations sampled from the Heilongjiang River and the Songhuajiang River in North China, respectively. Unbiased expected heterozygosity levels varied from 0.435 to 0.946 and number of alleles per locus varied from three to 20. Results indicated that these microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic and could be used as genetic markers.     

Identification and characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci in the aquatic moss Platyhypnidium riparioides (Brachytheciaceae)

Eight microsatellite loci from the aquatic moss Platyhypnidium riparioides were identified using the method of microsatellite‐enriched libraries. Polymorphism was assessed in a sample of four populations of 20 individuals each from four streams of the Meuse hydrographic basin in southern Belgium. The markers amplified three to seven alleles per locus. Comparison of observed and expected heterozygosities as well as F‐statistics (F_ST = 0.62) reveals a significant genetic differentiation among populations. These markers will be useful for further investigation of population genetic structure and diversity at different nested spatial scales.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the tropical moss,Acanthorrhynchium papillatum

We isolated and characterized microsatellite loci for the palaeotropic moss, Acanthorrhynchium papillatum. Eight loci tested on 98 gametophytic samples generated four to 26 alleles per locus with genetic diversities ranging from 0.578 to 0.936. These microsatellite loci are now being used as genetic markers for studies on the effects of deforestation on moss populations in South‐East Asia.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cupressus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">chenggiana</Emphasis> S. Y. Hu (Cupressaceae)

Cupressus chenggiana S. Y. Hu (Cupressaceae) is an endemic and endangered conifer species in southwest China. In order to study the population genetics and design the effective conservation methods, we aimed to develop microsatellite primers for this species in the present study. We developed eight new microsatellite loci for this species through biotin capture method. Polymorphism of each locus was further assessed in 18 individuals from three geographically distant populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 11 with an average of 8.13. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.219 to 0.296 and from 0.374 to 0.470, with averages of 0.254 and 0.417, respectively. We further found that three of nine microsatellite loci developed previously for another congeneric species showed polymorphic banding patters. We performed primer-crossing tests of these loci in the other two congeneric species which are closely related to C. chenggiana (C. gigantea and C. duclouxiana). These microsatellite markers would be effective for analyzing genetic diversity and population genetic structure of this species and its morphological differentiation with the close relatives.     

Isolation and characterization of EST‐derived microsatellite loci from the fungal wheat pathogen Phaeosphaeria nodorum

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci and one minisatellite locus originating from expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries of Phaeosphaeria (syn. Stagonospora) nodorum were isolated and characterized. The satellite markers were used to genotype isolates from field populations collected in China, North America and South Africa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 15. Genotype diversity ranged from 87.5 to 95.3 and gene diversity from 0.1 to 0.8. The variable levels of polymorphism within and among populations of P. nodorum renders these 12 satellite loci ideal markers for population genetic analysis of P. nodorum.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci in the sponge Crambe crambe (Porifera: Poecilosclerida) and their variation in two distant populations

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized in the marine encrusting sponge Crambe crambe from a partial genomic DNA‐enriched library. Preliminary data on allelic variation of these loci in two distant populations of C. crambe are presented to assess their potential utility as high‐resolution genetic markers for this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged between three and 16 and the distributions of allele frequencies differed considerably between the two populations, indicating a marked genetic differentiation between them. These are the first microsatellite loci reported from any species in the phylum.     

Microsatellite isolation from the gall midge Spurgia capitigena (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control agent of leafy spurge

Spurgia capitigena is a gall midge that has been released as a biological control agent of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a noxious rangeland weed in North America. We isolated 15 microsatellite loci from S. capitigena with from two to 27 alleles at each locus. These markers will allow us to examine the structure and levels of neutral genetic variation in native and introduced 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.     

Development of microsatellite markers in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) using a dual‐supression‐PCR technique

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is an economically and ecologically important tree species in the world. We isolated seven polymorphic microsatellite loci from R. pseudoacacia using a dual‐suppression‐PCR technique. These loci provided microsatellite markers with high polymorphism ranging from three to 12 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity between 0.538 and 0.944. The markers are now available for more detailed investigation of population genetic structure and pollen and seed dispersal.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Viola mirabilis (Violaceae) using a next‐generation sequencing platform

We isolated and characterized microsatellite loci in Viola mirabilis (Violaceae), an endangered species from South Korea. Twenty‐three polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and tested in Korean, Chinese and Japanese populations. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to eight. The observed and expected heterozygosities within the three populations were 0.000–0.625 and 0.469–0.695, respectively. A total of six loci in the Korean population, one locus in the Chinese population and seven loci in the Japanese population deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. We expect that these newly developed microsatellite markers will contribute to understanding the phylogeography and population genetics of V. mirabilis, which will aid in developing conservation strategies for this species.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers for the North African gundi,Ctenodactylus gundi (Rodentia: Ctenodactylidae)

Eleven highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the North African gundi (Ctenodactylus gundi), a gregarious rock‐dwelling rodent found in northern Africa. These loci exhibited high genetic diversity (eight to 19 alleles per locus) and high levels of heterozygosity (62–98%). Collectively, these microsatellite markers are sufficiently variable to estimate levels of relatedness and population genetic structure for C. gundi.     

Isolation and characterization of 149 novel microsatellite DNA markers for striped bass,Morone saxatilis,and cross‐species amplification in white bass,Morone chrysops,and their hybrid

To support detailed genetic analysis of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and white bass (Morone chrysops), we isolated 153 microsatellite loci from repeat‐enriched striped bass DNA libraries. Of these, 147 markers amplified in striped bass (average 4.7 alleles per locus) and 133 in white bass (average 2.2 alleles per locus). One hundred twenty‐two markers amplified in their hybrid. Development of new microsatellite markers will facilitate evaluations of genetic structure in wild populations and will support pedigree analysis and linkage mapping for selective breeding.     

Microsatellite DNA markers for the Stable Fly,Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers have been isolated from a microsatellite‐enriched DNA library from the Stable Fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. These loci exhibited four to 15 alleles per locus and an expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.19 to 0.84 in the three populations studied from La Réunion island (Indian Ocean). They should therefore be valuable for studying genetic diversity and population structure. Cross‐species amplification of these eight loci in the closely allied species Stomoxys niger niger was successful for four of these loci, one of which was monomorphic and one of which strongly departed from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.     

Characterization of microsatellites in the fungal plant pathogen Crinipellis perniciosa

Microsatellite markers of Crinipellis perniciosa, with three and four repeats, were developed from sequence database and evaluated for their usefulness in detecting genetic polymorphism. Thirty‐three primers produced unambiguous amplification products of 28 microsatellite‐containing loci and 14 microsatellite‐like polymorphic loci, with two to seven alleles at each locus. Three loci were useful to distinguish isolates from different biotypes and isolates from different countries. Amplification of the markers in the closely related fungi Moniliophthora roreri indicates that their usefulness in population's studies may go beyond the present study of the C. perniciosa and may have applications in population genetics of M. roreri.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae)

We developed five highly polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci for the grassland species Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae). Polymorphism of these markers was examined in six populations in the Netherlands. All loci were polymorphic in all populations. The number of alleles per locus varied between 18 and 43. Expected heterozygosity was between 0.86 and 0.91. Cross‐species amplification was tested in six Hypochaeris species and was successful for three different loci in four species. These microsatellites are a useful tool in population genetic, dispersal and metapopulation studies or in testing levels of inbreeding.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the red tide‐forming harmful species Chattonella antiqua,C. marina,and C. ovata (Raphidophyceae)

We have developed 11 microsatellite markers that are specific to Chattonella antiqua, C. marina, and C. ovata, the red tide‐forming harmful phytoplanktons. The 11 loci were amplified in the three species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 16. The three species shared most microsatellite regions, although the genetic differences in specific loci were detected among them. These markers of the Chattonella species will be beneficial for biogeographical, detailed taxonomic, studies.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the endangered highlands scrub hypericum (Hypericum cumulicola)

We report the isolation of 19 primer pairs for amplification of polymorphic microsatellite loci for Hypericum cumulicola. These markers were evaluated in 24 individuals from one population; two to four alleles were detected per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.5. Two loci demonstrated significant heterozygote deficiencies, possibly due to null alleles, and significant linkage disequilibrium was found between six pairs of loci. The remaining microsatellite loci will help determine if genetic differentiation is responsible for life‐history differences between natural and anthropogenically disturbed populations of H. cumulicola.     

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.