Characterization of di‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers in rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

Twelve tetra‐ and di–tetra compound microsatellite loci are described for the rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax). These loci were screened among a minimum of 79 individuals and the average number of alleles per locus was 16 with an average heterozygosity of 0.86. These microsatellites are being used to examine population structure and life‐history evolution among natural populations of rainbow smelt.     

A set of polymorphic trinucleotide and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

We have developed the first set of trinucleotide and tetranucleotide markers for the Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. One hundred and sixty-seven polymorphic trinucleotide and tetranucleotide microsatellites were isolated using clones derived from two libraries. Of almost 200,000 clones analysed, 0.5% presented trinucleotide or tetranucleotide repeat regions. Among the trinucleotide repeats analysed in this study, the most frequent one was (CAG)(n) and the most common tetranucleotide repeat was (GATA)(n). The position of the new markers in the genetic linkage map was determined. Markers were evenly distributed along the P. olivaceus linkage groups, without distinction between the kinds of repeats and library of origin. The markers isolated in this study contribute significantly to the genetic linkage map of the Japanese flounder.     

Isolation of highly polymorphic autosomal microsatellite loci and a sex‐linked locus from sugarbirds

We describe the isolation of six tetranucleotide microsatellites from the Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with number of alleles ranging from nine to 26 and values of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.534 to 0.931. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with the exception of Pro66 and Pro86. Further analysis of Pro86 indicated it was Z‐linked. All loci amplified and were variable in the congeneric Gurneys sugarbird (Promerops gurneyi). These loci will be used in mating system and phylogeographic studies of Cape sugarbirds in South Africa.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in an enigmatic East African bird, the spot-throat (Modulatrix stictigula)

We describe the isolation of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellites from the spot-throat using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with the number of alleles ranging from six to 20 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.410 to 0.940. Although all loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, locus Mst95 showed significant homozygote excess in both surveyed populations, possibly a consequence of the presence of null alleles at this locus. These loci will be used to determine the extent to which spot-throat populations are isolated in order to help set conservation priorities for this ancient African lineage.     

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).     

Isolation and characterization of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the yellow-streaked greenbul (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus) and cross-species amplification in four closely related taxa

We describe the isolation of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the yellow-streaked greenbul using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with the number of alleles ranging from 8 to 13, and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.652 to 0.870. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; however, loci Pfl12 and Pfl54 showed significant linkage disequilibrium. All 10 loci successfully amplified and were polymorphic in at least one of four related Phyllastrephus species. These loci should prove to be widely applicable to studies of phylogeography, hybridization and paternity in African greenbuls.