Characterisation of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci in a coral reef fish (Chromis margaritifer)

Primer pairs for ten microsatellite loci for the damselfish Chromis margaritifer were isolated from a genomic DNA library. The loci were optimised and tested on 48 individuals from a single sampling site. Using three multiplex reactions, each primer pair amplified good quality, reliable and polymorphic product. Number of alleles ranging from 4 to 31 per locus, and average expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.20 to 0.93. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was detected between any pair of loci, but significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg expectations at three loci suggested the presence of null alleles. Given the worldwide decline of coral reefs, these markers will be invaluable for elucidating patterns of genetic and demographic connectivity among populations of a fish that depends upon threatened coral reef habitat for its survival.