Development and characterization of 23 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Sympetrum frequens

Twenty-three polymorphic microsatellite markers for Sympetrum frequens were developed and characterized. The number of distinct alleles per locus in 32 individuals ranged from 2 to 23. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.031 to 0.938, while the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.031 to 0.922. No loci deviated significantly from Hardy?CWeinberg equilibrium, no linkage disequilibrium was observed between pairs of loci and no loci showed evidence of null alleles. These microsatellite markers are expected to contribute to future investigations of genetic variation and structure in S. frequens populations.     

Isolation and characterization of species-specific microsatellite loci in red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)

Ten microsatellite markers were developed via pyrosequencing for the red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus). These microsatellite loci displayed 3?C15 alleles with expected heterozygosity values ranging between 0.580 and 0.907 and observed heterozygosity between 0.509 and 0.870. The high level of polymorphisms observed in the microsatellite markers supports future investigations to improve our knowledge of the genetic structure and relatedness of these birds. This is the first development of species specific markers for the red-billed oxpecker.     

Isolation and characterization of species-specific microsatellite loci in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

Eight microsatellite markers were developed via pyrosequencing of a microsatellite-enriched library for the African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus). These microsatellite loci displayed 2–6 alleles with expected heterozygosity values ranging between 0.316 and 0.782 and observed heterozygosity between 0.381 and 0.84. These loci may be suitable for assessing patterns of genetic variability in African penguin. This is the first development of species-specific markers for the African penguin.     

Isolation and development of 15 new, polymorphic microsatellite loci for an unusual, endemic African earwig (Hemimerus vosseleri)

Eighteen microsatellite loci were isolated from the Hemimerus vosseleri earwig, an insect species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains, and that lives on African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus). Alleles ranged between two and 12 per locus, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.185 to 0.883 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.200 to 0.750. Fifteen of 18 loci were polymorphic. These microsatellite markers will be used to study the population structure of Hemimerus vosseleri among different rat hosts, which will likely enhance the conservation of this unique and unusual rodent-insect partnership.     

Development and characterization of new polymorphic microsatellite markers for Degenia velebitica (Degen) Hayek (Brassicaceae)

Twelve novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Degenia velebitica. All 12 microsatellite markers showed single-locus amplification and reveal 88 alleles in 20 individuals from a natural population. The number of alleles per microsatellite locus varied from 3 to 19. The observed heterozygosity, the expected heterozygosity, and polymorphic information content ranged from 0.250 to 0.950, 0.234 to 0.938 and 0,220 to 0,908, respectively. The significant deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg expectations were detected in two microsatellite loci. These new microsatellite markers will be a useful tool for studying genetic diversity, genetic structure and phylogeography of D. velebitica, as well as for successful conservation and management of this endangered species.     

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci developed and optimized from the Leptodactylus chaquensis

We isolated and characterized twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci for Leptodactylus chaquensis. Levels of polymorphism of the microsatellite loci measured in twenty individuals showed two to 7 alleles per locus with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.20 to 0.75 and polymorphic information content ranging from 0.1736 to 0.7431. No evidence for linkage disequilibrium was detected between all pairs of loci and deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations were not significant for any loci. These microsatellite markers reported here can be used in genetic analysis of populations and contribute to a better understanding of the taxonomy of the ocellatus group verifying the occurrence of reproductive isolation of species (or subspecies) closely related to L. chaquensis.     

Eighteen novel polymorphic microsatellites for the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus)

Eighteen novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, and characterized in a cultured stock of swimming crab. The number of alleles varied between two and four, and the observed and expected heterozygosity at population level ranged from 0.1481 to 0.8621 and 0.4898 to 0.7475, respectively. Two loci significantly deviated from Hardy?CWeinberg equilibrium (P?<?0.01). These eighteen microsatellite markers will be useful for parentage, population genetics and genome mapping studies in this species.     

Isolation via 454 sequencing,and characterisation of microsatellite markers for the Pilbara endemic Acacia atkinsiana (Fabaceae)

We isolated 11 new polymorphic microsatellite markers from Acacia atkinsiana, a plant species endemic to the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Next generation (454) sequencing was used to identify 28 microsatellite markers that were trialled in individuals across the species range. Characterisation of 11 of these loci in 24 individuals from a single population yielded between two and nine alleles per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.042 to 0.958. Four loci that amplified in A. atkinsiana were also successfully amplified and polymorphic in Acacia ancistrocarpa. These loci will be valuable for assessing population genetic structure in A. atkinsiana and identifying seed sources for rehabilitation of disturbed sites.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in Lamprotula leai, with cross-amplification in Hyriopsis cumingii

Eighteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in Lamprotula leai. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from 3 to 13. The values of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.2083 to 0.8944 and from 0.4305 to 0.8961, respectively. Fifteen loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium was found. A cross-amplification test showed ten out of eighteen loci were successfully amplified in three hyriopsis cumingii populations. These informative microsatellite markers will be useful to assess genetic diversity for this species.     

Microsatellite markers for Australian temperate diadromous fishes Pseudaphritis urvillii (Bovichtidae) and Lovettia sealii (Galaxiidae)

Thirteen microsatellite loci were developed and characterised for two fishes from temperate Australia that exhibit atypical diadromous migration strategies. Cloning and sequencing of an enriched partial genomic library was used to develop seven highly polymorphic loci for the catadromous species Pseudaphritis urvillii (known as tupong or congolli). Mean number of alleles per locus was 16.5, and average observed and expected heterozygosity was between 0.90 and 0.87, respectively. Six polymorphic markers characterised for the anadromous species Lovettia sealii (known as Tasmanian whitebait) included a mean of 12.3 alleles per locus and average observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.71–0.77, respectively. These microsatellites will be employed to understand regional patterns of recruitment, migration and stock structure.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci developed for the Mexican four-eyed octopus Octopus maya

Ten polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from Mexican four-eyed octopus Octopus maya, by construction of an enriched genomic library. Genotyping of 35 individuals from Sabancuy Campeche, México, revealed variable levels of locus polymorphism with an average of 9.2 alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.53 to 0.93 and from 0.48 to 0.87, respectively. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was detected between pairs of loci and genotype proportions at all loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations. The microsatellite loci developed constitute a suite of genetic markers applicable to sustainable fishery management for O. maya.     

The isolation via enrichment and characterization of 9 dinucleotide microsatellite markers in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Nine microsatellite markers were isolated from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco genomic DNA libraries. These nine novel dinucleotide microsatellite loci will provide markers of sufficient power to detect population structure in P. fulvidraco. Polymorphism was tested using 36 individuals from one natural population. The observed number of alleles ranged from 3 to 8. The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.3056–0.9444 and 0.5129–0.8435 respectively, the average of PIC was 0.6296. These values showed that these nine microsatellite loci were suitable for genetic analysis.     

Development of novel microsatellite markers for Pinus yunnanensis and their cross amplification in congeneric species

Pinus yunnanensis is an important economic and ecological forest tree species in Southwest China. Nevertheless, the excellent resources are reducing, and an urgent and valid conservation strategy according to genetic information is required. Eighteen novel microsatellite markers were developed for P. yunnanensis, of which eight were polymorphic for the species. Markers were characterized using 32 individuals collected from three natural populations of P. yunnanensis with the observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.167–0.727 and 0.219–0.700, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between pairs of loci. Cross-species amplification of these microsatellite loci in the other five congeneric species was performed. These polymorphic microsatellite markers would be useful for investigating population genetic diversity to make conservation and management strategies of P. yunnanensis.     

Isolation and characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus

Plectropomus leopardus is an important commercial fish in South-East Asia. To date, there is little genetic information available about its population structure. In this study, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for this species and characterized in 182 wild individuals. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.236 to 0.912 and from 0.649 to 0.866, respectively. No linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci, and four loci were found to significantly depart from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These polymorphic microsatellite markers are valuable for relative studies of population genetics.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in the gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus)

Twenty one microsatellite markers were isolated from two enriched genomic libraries of the gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus. The number of alleles detected varied between 4 and 27, and expected heterozygosity estimates ranged from 0.502 to 0.967 (n?=?35). Genotypic proportions conformed to Hardy?CWeinberg expectations for all but two of the loci. The microsatellite markers developed in this work will be precious to conservation genetics studies of the gray triggerfish.     

Polymorphic microsatellite markers in the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum

We developed twenty polymorphic microsatellite markers for the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum by screening microsatellite enriched library, and characterized their polymorphism using two populations of 45 individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 17, and the observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.0714 to 1.000 and 0.6655 to 0.9321, respectively. Twelve loci conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. These polymorphic microsatellite markers will facilitate studies of population genetics and connectivity in D. setosum.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Indian false vampire bat Megaderma lyra

We isolated and characterized eight microsatellite markers for Indian false vampire bat Megaderma lyra. These loci were tested on 60 individuals representing four populations, and all loci were highly polymorphic. The mean number of observed alleles per locus was 13.1 (range from 5 to 24). Observed heterozygosity values range from 0.876 to 0.982, and expected heterozygosity value were ranged from 0.986 to 1.0. Out of eight loci, only two loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and no pairs of loci were in linkage disequilibrium. These polymorphic markers will be useful to examine population structure, mating and dispersal behaviour, including monitoring the effect of habitat fragmentation and parental analysis.     

Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite markers from a rare and endemic species, Scutellaria austrotaiwanensis (Lamiaceae)

Scutellaria austrotaiwanensis is a new species first described in 1997. It is a rare and endemic species in southern Taiwan. In this study, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Scutellaria austrotaiwanensis using a magnetic bead enrichment method. Several genetic indices, including observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), number of effective alleles (Ne), and polymorphism information content (PIC), were calculated. Deviation of heterozygosity was detected by the fixation index (Fis) and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was tested by possibilities (P _HWE) using a chi-squared test. Allele numbers ranged from 4 to 8, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.611 to 1.000. Five microsatellite markers showed deficient heterozygosity by Fis > 0. No loci exhibited a departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, possibly due to a stable population. No loci pairs revealed significant linkage disequilibrium. The microsatellite markers reported here should be useful to evaluate the population structure of S. austrotaiwanensis for conservation efforts.     

Isolation, characterization and cross-species amplification of 15 microsatellite markers for the African species of the freshwater gastropod genus Bellamya

We isolated and characterized microsatellite markers for African species of the freshwater gastropod genus Bellamya. Fifteen out of 21 primer combinations, isolated from unpublished sequences, yielded in polymorphic products. The number of alleles ranged from 8 to 22 among the 37 scored individuals. The observed heterozygosity H _O ranged from 0.571 to 0.919 and the expected heterozygosity H _E ranged from 0.626 to 0.937. Evidence of null alleles were observed at three polymorphic loci. Cross-species amplifications were carried out for five additional African viviparid species and resulted in several polymorphic microsatellite markers, a high number of monomorphic loci as well as a few unsuccessful amplifications.     

Characterization of 41 microsatellite loci developed from the genome sequence of the poplar rust fungus, Melampsora larici-populina

Forty-one microsatellite markers were developed for the poplar rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina. The genome sequence of M. larici-populina strain 98AG31 was screened in silico for microsatellite loci using Magellan software. Thirty-nine loci, evaluated on a sexual population of 35 M. larici-populina isolates sampled on larch trees in the French Alps, were identified to be highly polymorphic. These markers revealed two to 34 alleles, with an average of 7.23 alleles per locus. The estimated heterozygosity ranged from 0.029 to 0.958 across the 41 microsatellite loci. These markers will be highly useful for population genetics studies of M. larici-populina.