Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for the trematode Gymnophallus sp.

Ten polymorphic loci were isolated and characterized from the intertidal New Zealand trematode Gymnophallus sp., a common parasite of the abundant local bivalve Austrovenus stutchburyi. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.17 to 0.96, and three to 23 alleles were detected in 24 trematode metacercariae. These loci are currently being used to investigate the molecular ecology of this species within the bivalve host.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the trematode Diplostomum pseudospathaceum

We present primers for five polymorphic microsatellite loci in the eye fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum (Trematoda), a widely distributed parasite with a complex life cycle used as a model for parasitology and fish immunology. The loci were identified using a GA/CT‐enriched genomic library by subtractive hybridization with magnetic particles. All five loci were highly polymorphic, displaying 17 to 61 alleles and heterozygosities ranging from 0.53 to 0.92. We isolated populations of parasites within the first (snail) and second (fish) intermediate host and found small but significant genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.012) between the two life stages of the parasite.     

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the alpine caddisfly Allogamus uncatus Brauer (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

Here we report the development of 10 microsatellite loci for the alpine caddisfly, Allogamus uncatus. Polymorphism as detected in 24 individuals ranged from three to 17 alleles per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.087 to 0.864. These primers will enable research on the genetic population structure of this species, the extent of gene flow among alpine permanent and temporary streams, and the genetic consequences of extinction/recolonization events.     

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for Allobates femoralis, an Amazonian dendrobatoid frog

Within the anuran amphibians, dendrobatoids (poison-arrow frogs) are renowned for their parental care, but the lack of highly variable DNA markers so far precluded precise and comprehensive measurements of their genetic mating system. Here we present 10 polymorphic microsatellites for Allobates femoralis, a widespread dendrobatoid from the Amazon basin. In 24 field-collected individuals, we found between seven and 15 alleles per locus, without deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or linkage disequilibrium. The loci will be employed to quantify reproductive success in view of male territoriality and female mate choice, as well as to determine the fine-scale genetic structure of local populations.     

Ten microsatellite loci from Solms-laubachia eurycarpa (Brassicaceae)

Solms-laubachia eurycarpa is a medicinal herb endemic to the Hengduan Mountains region of south-central China. We screened a partial genomic library enriched for microsatellites and characterized 10 polymorphic loci for S. eurycarpa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 15, with an average of 9.6. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.2 to 0.725 and from 0.585 to 0.871, respectively. Amplification in closely related taxa was successful for most loci. The results indicate significant potential for the utility of these markers in studying the population genetics of S. eurycarpa and related species.     

Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus Bloch)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized using a small insert genomic DNA library for the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus Bloch, 1790), a commercially valuable marine fish in tropical waters. They showed polymorphism information content ranging from 0.177 to 0.775, allele numbers ranging from two to 10, effective allele numbers ranging from 1.227 to 5.012, and observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.2 to 0.733 and from 0.185 to 0.801, respectively, which we anticipate will be useful for population genetic studies of the giant grouper.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the marine invader Microcosmus squamiger (Ascidiacea)

The ascidian Microcosmus squamiger is native to Australia and has recently spread worldwide. It has become a pest in some littoral communities within its introduced range. An enriched genomic library of M. squamiger resulted in a total of eight polymorphic loci that were genotyped in 20 individuals from a population within its introduced range, and 20 individuals more from a native population. The mean number of alleles per locus was 5.33 and mean observed heterozygosity was 0.432. No significant linkage disequilibrium was found among loci pairs. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between populations.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Microsatellite loci were characterized for the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) from a GT_n‐enriched genomic library. Twelve of 14 microsatellite loci were polymorphic, averaging 6.7 alleles per locus across the 20 individuals genotyped. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.72, with locus‐specific values ranging from 0.53 to 0.90. An equally high multilocus probability of identity (2.48 × 10^?12) was revealed for this set of loci. In addition, all 12 loci were demonstrated to cross‐amplify to varying extents within three additional parrot genera suggesting their potential utility for population‐level studies in a broad range of Neotropical psittacines.     

Thirty polymorphic microsatellite loci from the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

Thirty polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), using an enriched genomic library. Characterization of loci using 90 kakapo revealed an average of 3.3 alleles per locus (range: 2–5) and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.47 (range: 0.17–0.70). The probability of identity (7.2 × 10^?15) and probability of exclusion (0.999999) demonstrate that these loci are a highly informative marker set that can aid the genetic management of the kakapo.     

Microsatellite loci from the trematode Lecithochirium fusiforme,a parasite of the European conger eel

Seven polymorphic loci containing dinucleotide repeats and one trinucleotide microsatellite were developed for the hemiurid fluke Lecithochirium fusiforme, a parasite of the European conger eel Conger conger. All parasites that were collected from a single individual host (a total of 54 specimens) were genotyped. The number of alleles ranged from two to eight. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.057 to 0.736 and from 0.091 to 0.794, respectively. Hardy–Weinberg deviations were statistically significant for two loci. These markers will be useful for study of parasite transmission patterns and population genetic structure.     

Isolation and characterization of 145 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the common frog (Rana temporaria)

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 145 di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the common frog (Rana temporaria), a species commonly used as a model in ecological and evolutionary research. Primers were tested on 46 individuals from two Fennoscandian populations and yielded an average of six to nine alleles per locus (range = 1–30) depending on the population. Average observed heterozygosities in the two populations were 0.16 (range = 0–0.91) and 0.36 (range = 0–1).     

Isolation and characterization of 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 22 microsatellite loci from the Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). The primers were tested on 27 individuals from a population breeding in British Columbia, Canada. The developed primer pairs yielded an average of 6.11 alleles per locus (range 2-12), an average observed heterozygosity of 0.70 (range 0.07-0.96) and a polymorphic information content of 0.07-0.88.     

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum Bennett)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci without linkage disequilibrium were isolated and characterized from a microsatellite DNA-enriched DNA library for the whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum Bennett, 1830). These loci show polymorphism information content ranging from 0.384 to 0.885, allele number ranging from 4 to 12, effective allele number ranging from 1.686 to 9.438, and observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.229 to 1.000 and from 0.407 to 0.894 respectively. Four loci show strong Hardy-Weinberg deviations. We expect that these markers would be useful for population genetic and breeding studies of the whitespotted bamboo shark.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers from Australia short-finned eel (Anguilla australis Richardson)

Seventeen microsatellite DNA loci from the Australian short‐finned eel (Anguilla australis Richardson) were isolated and their amplification characteristics were described. The polymerase chain reaction primers were tested on 40 eel individuals. The primers amplified loci with relatively high numbers of alleles, ranging from five to 14 with an average of nine per locus. Mean observed heterozygosity (H_O) and expected heterozygosity (H_E) were 0.6779 and 0.7374, respectively, indicating that these markers would be useful for population studies. No loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.05) and no evidence was found for genotypic disequilibrium among loci at a 5% significance level.     

Isolation and characterization of 100 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus)

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 100 microsatellite loci from the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). The primers were tested on two geographically separated Finnish populations. The developed primer pairs yielded an average of 4.72 alleles per locus (range one to 17) and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.55 (range 0.04 to 1).     

Development of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the small abalone (Haliotis diversicolor Reeve)

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci for Haliotis diversicolor were isolated and characterized from (CT)(n) - and (AC)(n) -enriched library. They were tested in 24 individuals from a natural population. All of them were polymorphic, with the number of alleles varying between three and 10. The observed heterozygosities and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.083 to 0.913 and from 0.159 to 0.856, respectively. The 11 isolated microsatellite loci, except SA-JMU6 and SA-JMU12, followed Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Seven sets of primers also amplify in closely related species, H. ovina and H. asinine. These 11 polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for analysing the population structure and genetic diversity in H. diversicolor.     

Polymerase chain reaction primers for polymorphic microsatellite loci in the ant Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae)

The elongate twig ant Pseudomyrmex gracilis is widely distributed in the New World ranging from southern USA to Brazil and northern Argentina. To investigate its within-colony relatedness, we developed primers for nine polymorphic microsatellite loci. High levels of within-population variation were observed, with number of alleles ranging from two to 13, and heterozygosity from 0.28 to 0.90. The loci showed no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium.     

Isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus)

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 17 di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the three‐toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus). The primers were tested on 26 to 30 individuals from a single population breeding in southern Finland. The developed primer pairs yielded an average of 7.6 alleles per locus (range two to 15), an average observed heterozygosity of 0.69 (range 0.07 to 0.97), and an average polymorphic information content of 0.68 (range 0.06 to 0.90).     

Microsatellite loci for the New Zealand trematode Maritrema novaezealandensis

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the coastal New Zealand trematode Maritrema novaezealandensis, an important driving force in the population dynamics of its snail and crustacean intermediate hosts. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.33 to 0.82, and three to 17 alleles were detected in 22 trematode sporocysts. These loci will be integral for identifying parasite genetic clones within hosts and addressing a range of questions concerning the molecular ecology of this species.