Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

We describe seven polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci isolated from bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus, Rodentia: Muridae) collected from the Wirral Peninsula, United Kingdom. Microsatellites were isolated as part of a long‐term study on the wider effects of host–pathogen interactions of an endemic viral disease. These microsatellites showed between five and 13 alleles per locus in these populations. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied between 0.275 to 0.777 and 0.487 to 0.794, respectively. These markers will allow us to investigate the structure of this bank vole population.     

Isolation of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci for a species with a large genome size: sharp-ribbed salamander (Pleurodeles waltl)

Fourteen highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and characterized for the sharp-ribbed salamander, Pleurodeles waltl. Isolating microsatellites with more than 12 single repeat type units was only successful for a tetranucleotide repeat (ATAG). Compared to microsatellite libraries constructed simultaneously for two anuran amphibian species, a greater number of primer pairs designed for P. waltl had to be discarded, due to consistent amplification problems. Low amplification success rate for P. waltl may be due to its larger genome size. Consequently, to avoid nonspecific binding and to increase amplification success, polymerase chain reaction programmes with touchdown cycles were used. For 14 microsatellite markers, amplification was successful and consistent with number of alleles and expected heterozygosity ranging from seven to 22 and from 0.79 to 0.94, respectively. All 14 microsatellite markers will be extremely useful for metapopulation studies of this unique amphibian species.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus

We developed a set of six polymorphic microsatellite loci for the woodlouse, Porcellionides pruinosus. We screened 43 individuals from three French populations and found that locus‐specific allelic diversity ranges from 3 to 17 alleles (mean = 9.8) and observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.51 to 0.89 (mean = 0.77). These are the first microsatellites loci reported from the woodlouse.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare

The common pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare, is known to harbour two distinct strains of the feminizing proteobacteria Wolbachia. In order to study the effect of the presence of Wolbachia on the evolution of A. vulgare populations, we developed and characterized a set of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci from two microsatellite‐enriched genomic libraries. We screened 48 individuals from three French populations and found high genetic variation. Locus‐specific allelic diversity ranged from four to 28 and observed heterozygosity from 0.40 to 1.00, which indicates that these markers can be used to conduct population genetic studies in A. vulgare.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the aphid species Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Fourteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, by screening a genomic library with the oligonucleotide probes (GA)₁₀ (GT)₁₀ and (GATA)₄. Allelic diversity was estimated in samples collected from potato fields in Tunisia. Ten loci displayed polymorphism that ranged from two to four alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity ranged from zero to one. These markers could be used to study the population genetic structure of this polyphagous aphid species.     

Six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Natterjack toad,Bufo calamita

The Natterjack toad, Bufo calamita, is a locally endangered anuran endemic to Europe. It has been used as a model organism in several ecological studies. When studying the genetic structure of marginalized populations of the species, there was a need to involve more loci in the study than those previously published. Here we present the development of six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Natterjack. The loci will be used for studying population genetic structure and gene flow between populations.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for two species of phyllostomid bats from the Greater Antilles (Erophylla sezekorni and Macrotus waterhousii)

We developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the buffy flower bat (Erophylla sezekorni) and 10 loci for Waterhouse's big-eared bat (Macrotus waterhousii). In E. sezekorni, we tested 65 individuals from three islands, Cuba, Exuma, and Abaco. Mean number of alleles per locus was 10.7 (range 5-20). In M. waterhousii, we tested 39 individuals from one island, Exuma. Mean number of alleles per locus was 6.9 (range 4-13). We will use these markers to study the phylogeography and mating system of these species.     

New polymorphic microsatellite loci in two fish species: bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) and yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)

We identified four new polymorphic microsatellite loci in bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) and five loci in yellow bullheads (Ameiurus natalis). We screened 400 killifish from 20 populations and 180 bullheads from nine populations, finding a high degree of polymorphism (nine to 54 alleles per locus; average expected heterozygosity 0.678–0.976). We found no evidence for linkage disequilibrium. Three of the loci found in bluefin killifish show heterozygote deficiency; the other loci do not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.     

Isolation and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci in Aspergillus niger

Certain strains of Aspergillus niger produce ochratoxin A in food and in animal feeds. Six polymorphic microsatellite markers suitable for population analysis were developed for A. niger through screening published sequences for microsatellite repeats. Polymorphism was evaluated for 28 isolates of A. niger, including toxigenic strains. Loci displayed six to 13 alleles. Investigation of cross‐species amplifications with Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus japonicus showed limited success.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the polychaete tubeworm Hobsonia florida

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Hobsonia florida, a tube‐dwelling ampharetid polychaete. The identified loci were highly polymorphic, with allelic diversity ranging from six to 11 alleles. Levels of expected heterozygosity were 0.52 or greater in all cases, averaging 0.78 across the complete set of loci. Cross‐species amplification was successful in three of the eight loci for one or both of the other species (Melinna cristata and Ampharete acutifrons) tested. Although these novel loci were designed for immediate utility in H. florida population‐level research, these results indicate they may prove useful in studies of other related taxa.     

Multiplex panels of polymorphic microsatellite loci for two cryptic bat species of the genus Pipistrellus,developed by cross‐species amplification within the family Vespertilionidae

The paper presents multiplex panels of polymorphic microsatellites for two closely related cryptic species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus. We tested the cross‐species amplification of 34 microsatellite loci, originally developed for five vespertilionid bat species. Ten and nine polymorphic loci in P. pipistrellus (mean number of alleles per locus = 10.5) and P. pygmaeus (8.1), respectively, in three multiplex polymerase chain reactions per species were amplified. All loci can be analysed in a single fragment analysis and can be used as markers to the study of evolution and the ecology of structured populations of socially living bats.     

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci in a coral reef fish,Pterapogon kauderni

We describe the isolation and characterization of 11 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from a male mouthbrooding coral reef fish, the Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni. In a sample of 37 fish from a natural population, polymorphism at these loci ranged from two to 15 alleles, with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.107 to 0.928, enabling high‐resolution genetic studies of this coral reef fish.     

Ten new highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the blood clam Scapharca broughtonii

Ten novel microsatellite loci were isolated from blood clam Scapharca broughtonii, and the polymorphisms were examined to estimate genetic variability. The genetic variabilities varied depending on the locus. The number of alleles ranged from 11 to 23, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.63 to 0.93 and 0.66 to 0.95, respectively. Four loci showed significant Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium at P < 0.05 level. The high variabilities revealed in this study suggest that microsatellites should prove useful for various genetic investigations.     

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci in the giant scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis)

Ten novel microsatellite loci were isolated from giant scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis, and the polymorphisms were examined to estimate genetic variability. The genetic variabilities varied depending on the locus. The number of alleles ranged from two to 17, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.17 to 0.99 and 0.33 to 0.90, respectively. Six loci showed significant Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium. The high variabilities revealed in this study suggest that microsatellites should prove useful for various genetic investigations.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the razor clam Ensis siliqua

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci in the razor clam Ensis siliqua are described. A collection consisting of 34 individuals from Finisterre, Spain, was analysed. Loci were isolated from the sequences of intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Detailed analysis of 42 ISSR markers led to the design of 16 primer pairs. Five of these yielded consistent and polymorphic products. The number of alleles ranged from five to 23 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.46 to 0.94. Linkage equilibrium was observed in all loci and three of them showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Australian smelt,Retropinna semoni

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the Australian smelt, Retropinna semoni, in order to study levels of connectivity among populations at various spatial scales. Screening of one natural population (n = 30) from central Victoria, southeastern Australia, yielded nine to 14 alleles per locus with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.40 to 0.80. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. These loci should provide a useful tool in further understanding the population genetics of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of 15 polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from Argyrosomus japonicus (mulloway), a new aquaculture species in Australia

Fifteen microsatellite loci were isolated for population genetic studies of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus), a commercial/recreational fish species in Southern Australia. A genomic library was screened randomly for di- tri- and tetranucleotide repeats. Fifteen microsatellite marker loci were developed that were highly polymorphic (allele number ranged from four to 18). Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.17 to 1 and from 0.27 to 0.91, respectively. These markers have proven useful for estimating genetic variation and for evaluating population structure across the species' natural distribution. They also provide powerful tools for optimizing hatchery practices to conserve genetic diversity.