Isolation and characterization of twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci in Oxygymnocypris stewartii

Twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Oxygymnocypris stewartii and were characterized in 42 individuals collected from the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 24 with an average of 12.542. The expected heterozygosity and Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged from 0.731 to 0.932 and from 1.342 to 2.887, respectively. These polymorphic loci will be available for the evaluation of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of O. stewartii.     

Isolation and characterization of twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci for the topical seagrass, Thalassia hemprichii

Twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the tropical seagrass, Thalassia hemprichii. Microsatellite enriched genomic libraries were constructed and subsequently sequenced using Pacific Biosciences SMRT technology. The 24 loci were characterized in 19 individuals from the Tukang Besi Islands, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Observed levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.26 to 0.95 with a mean of 4.7 alleles per locus. No pairs of loci showed evidence of significant linkage disequilibrium and one locus significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the ant Crematogaster scutellaris

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the ant Crematogaster scutellaris from Italy. Allelic variation was tested for individuals collected from 26 nests in an olive grove in Tuscany, where ant–homopteran mutualistic interactions are under study to control damages to the olive crop. Allelic diversity was 12.4 and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 17. Mean observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.826 (range, 0.760–0.923) and 0.829 (range, 0.736–0.869), respectively. This novel set of loci will be used to assess population structure, dispersal strategies and mating system of C. scutellaris, and in particular to determine genetic relationships among individuals engaged in intraspecific conflicts.     

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci of Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia

Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Small var. latifolia (Fern.) Semple is an herbaceous perennial that grows in close proximity to the federally endangered species P. ruthii (Small) Small. Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified from 87 samples of P. graminifolia var. latifolia and additionally characterized with P. ruthii and P. falcata samples. Alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 21. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.077 to 0.106 and Shannon’s Information Index ranged from 0.135 to 0.244. These microsatellite loci can be used to study genetic diversity and population diversity of P. graminifolia var. latifolia and its relationship to other Pityopsis species.     

Characterization and cross-species amplification of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Liobagrus marginatoides

Liobagrus marginatoides is endemic to the upper Yangtze River basin in China. By using the fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats protocol, we identified eleven microsatellite loci in a wild population. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 10. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.3258 to 1.000 and from 0.6506 to 0.8712, respectively. Cross-amplification was tested in related species L. nigricauda, L. marginalus and L. kingi.     

Characterization of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor

We describe the isolation and development of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the reef-associated dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor (Perciformes: Scombridae). The loci were tested on 20 individuals from a single population at Flinders Reef, located off the east coast of Australia. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was detected between any pairs of loci. However, one locus showed a significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 12.     

Characterization and cross-species amplification of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Xenophysogobio boulengeri

The ray-finned fish Xenophysogobio boulengeri is endemic to the upper Yangtze River basin in China. By using the Fast Isolation by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism of Sequences Containing repeats protocol, we identified fourteen microsatellite loci in a wild population. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 15. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.125 to 1 and from 0.122 to 0.925, respectively. Cross-amplification was tested in related species X. nudicorpa and Gobiobotia filifer.     

Characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for White-breasted mesites (Mesitornis variegata)

We characterized 10 specific microsatellite loci for White-breasted mesites (Mesitornis variegata), an endemic bird species from western Madagascar. Nine loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and we detected 4–10 alleles per locus (mean = 6.1). These primers will be used to study the mating system and social organization of White-breasted mesites and may have applications for the conservation of the few remaining populations of this vulnerable and still poorly studied species.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus)

Nine microsatellite loci were identified in the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) using two different methods. The first method involved the screening of a small, fragment, partial genomic library with a radioactive (CA)₆ probe. The second method, was based upon an enrichment method and used biotinylated, tetranucleotide microsatellite oligonucleotide capture probes. The nine loci described are all very polymorphic, with 11 to 34 alleles observed for each locus and heterozygosities ranging from 0.58 to 0.86. These microsatellite loci will be useful in analysing both the population structure and the mating systems used by this species and will add important information for the management of the wild stocks of this economically important species.     

Characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Munidopsis lauensis, a squat-lobster from the southwestern Pacific

Munidopsis lauensis is a deep-sea squat lobster commonly associated with hydrothermal vents at southwest Pacific back-arc spreading centers. Eight selectively neutral and unlinked polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for this species and two additional loci from a related species were successfully cross-amplified. Eight of the ten total loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.64 (mean H _O  = 0.50, SD = 0.15). Seven of ten loci cross-amplified in Munidopsis antonii, a closely related species. Microsatellites developed for M. lauensis are being deployed to study connectivity among populations of this species that occur at hydrothermal vents in Manus and Lau Basins.     

Characterization of 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Rimicaris exoculata, and cross-amplification in other hydrothermal-vent shrimp

Rimicaris exoculata is an alvinocarid shrimp endemic to the hydrothermal vents of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In order to study genetic variability and connectivity in this species, we developed fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markers. The markers were tested on one population and, except for one, all showed no departure from Hardy?CWeinberg equilibrium, with an average overall observed heterozygosity of 0.63. Two primer pairs revealed possible linkage disequilibrium, and 14 cross-amplified at least one of the three co-occurring shrimp species tested (Alvinocaris muricola, Alvinocaris markensis and Mirocaris fortunata). These markers therefore open perspectives for population genetic studies of hydrothermal vent shrimp species in order to unravel connectivity and evolution of populations, and to add information on possible future impact studies.     

Development of nineteen novel polymorphic microsatellite loci of Clupeichthys aesarnensis

We developed and characterized a total of 19 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci from the genome of Clupeichthys aesarnensis. Flanking PCR primers were developed and used to show that all loci were polymorphic with the number of observed alleles per locus in 30 individuals ranging from two to 15. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.033 to 0.933, while the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.033 to 0.898. All loci conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, none of the loci combinations showed significant linkage disequilibrium, and no loci showed evidence of null alleles. These 19 microsatellite loci can be useful for conducting future investigations into the genetic differentiation and structure of populations of C. aesarnensis.     

Characterization of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Rimicaris hybisae, a shrimp from deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Rimicaris hybisae is a deep-sea alvinocaridid shrimp found at hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center. Eleven selectively neutral and unlinked polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for this species and two additional loci were found to cross-amplify from a related species. Nine loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Seven loci cross-amplified with Chorocaris sp. 2, an alvinocaridid shrimp found at vents in the Southwestern Pacific. Microsatellite loci developed for R. hybisae are being deployed to study connectivity and genetic variability of populations along the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center.     

Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the Ancherythoculter nigrocauda

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers from Ancherythoculter nigrocauda were developed using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. These loci were characterized by genotyping 48 individuals. The observed number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 14 with an average of 9.4. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.185 to 0.907 and from 0.083 to 0.952, respectively. Among these polymorphic microsatellite loci, four of the loci (HWB01, HWB04, HWB12 and HWB16) significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (P < 0.05). All of the microsatellite loci were in linkage equilibrium. These microsatellite markers would be useful for investigating the genetic diversity and population structure of A. nigrocauda.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Silurus Lanzhouensis

Silurus Lanzhouensis is an endangered freshwater fish endemic to Ningxia, Gansu and Shaanxi province of China. Here we describe a first set of 12 polymorphic Silurus Lanzhouensis microsatellite loci. The observed numbers of alleles ranged from 2 to 7. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.3279 to 0.8438 and from 0.4021 to 0.8410, respectively. These microsatellite markers are useful for population and conservation genetic studies in S. Lanzhouensis.     

Characterisation and cross-amplification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in ant-associated root-aphids

Twenty-six polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for four species of ant-associated root-aphids: Geoica utricularia, Forda marginata, Tetraneura ulmi and Anoecia corni. We found up to 9 alleles per locus, with an average of 4.8. We also report polymorphic cross-amplification of eleven of these markers between different pairs of study species. Furthermore, we tested previously published aphid microsatellites and found one locus developed for Pemphigus bursarius to be polymorphic in G. utricularia. These microsatellite markers will be useful to study the population structure of aphids associated with the ant Lasius flavus and possibly other ants. Such studies are relevant because: 1. L. flavus mounds and their associated flora and fauna are often key components in protected temperate grasslands, and 2. L. flavus and its diverse community of root-aphids provide an interesting model system for studying the long-term stability of mutualistic interactions.     

Thirty-two polymorphic microsatellite loci of the mysid crustacean Mesopodopsis tenuipes

Thirty-two polymorphic microsatellite loci were indentified and characterized from the mysid Crustacea Mesopodopsis tenuipes Hanamura et al., 2008. The number of observed alleles per locus in 32 individuals collected from its type locality in Malaysia ranged from 2 to 22. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.031 to 0.906, while the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.031 to 0.943. All loci conformed to Hardy?CWeinberg equilibrium, no linkage disequilibrium was observed between pairs of loci and no loci showed evidence of null alleles. These 32 microsatellite loci could be used in future population genetics study of M. tenuipes.     

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Ifremeria nautilei, a chemoautotrophic gastropod from deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Ifremeria nautilei is deep-sea provannid gastropod endemic to hydrothermal vents at southwest Pacific back-arc spreading centers. Twelve, selectively neutral and unlinked polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for this species. Three loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.719 to 0.906 (mean H _O  = 0.547, SD = 0.206). Three of the 12 loci cross-amplified in two species of Alviniconcha (Provannidae) that co-occur with I. nautilei at Pacific vent habitats. Microsatellites developed for I. nautilei are being deployed to study connectivity among populations of this species colonizing geographically discrete back-arc basin vent systems.     

Characterization of 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci from invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles)

Lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) are the first non-native marine reef fish to become established in the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Next-generation sequencing techniques were employed to identify 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci for P. volitans and P. miles from waters off North Carolina, USA. Allele frequencies for all 18 loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations after correction for multiple comparisons, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 20 (mean = 7.1), and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.200 to 0.938 (mean H_o = 0.636). All 18 loci cross-amplified DNAs from representative haplotypes of both P. volitans and P. miles, and the vast majority of alleles were shared. These are the first highly polymorphic nuclear markers described for invasive lionfish and will be useful for characterizing population connectivity and monitoring the progress of the invasion on reef habitats of the Western Atlantic.     

Characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from massively parallel next-generation sequencing data and tested in three populations (74 individuals) of the colonial freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana. Up to 13 alleles per locus were found and all loci were polymorphic in all populations. Minimum of three loci were sufficient to distinguish all unique multilocus genotypes. These highly variable markers are suitable for clonal identity assignment based on unique multilocus genotypes and provide tools for resolving fine scale population structure in a species characterised by clonal, vegetative growth and asexual reproduction.