15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 2 Abstract 42We describe the development and characterisation of novel microsatellite loci for the baldchin groper, 43Choerodon rubescens. The purpose was to identify loci that can be used to resolve uncertainties about 44 the population (stock) structure of this fish species, which is endemic to a narrow region of the west 49Cross-amplification of the 12 loci in 7 other labrid species was often successful, especially in 50 congeners. 52Keywords Choerodon· Labridae · microsatellite marker · population structure 54The baldchin groper, Choerodon rubescens, is a large, long-lived labrid endemic to a region of 62Ideally, the processes that are put in place to manage the fisheries for C. rubescens should 63 operate at a spatial scale(s) relevant to the population (stock) structure of this species; as yet this 64 structure is unknown. This paper describes the development, characterisation and testing of novel 65 microsatellite markers for C. rubescens. These markers were developed primarily for resolving 66 uncertainties about the population structure of this species, however, their ability to cross-amplify loci 67 in 7 other labrid species was also assessed. Very few studies have published microsatellite markers for 109The 12 loci were also tested on 7 other labrid species, using the same conditions as described 110 above for C. rubescens. In general, the loci worked very well with the cogeners C. schoenleinii and C. 111cyanodus, for which, respectively, 8 and 9 loci were amplified with 100% success (Table 2). At least 112 one polymorphic locus (and usually more) was amplified with 100% success from each of the 7 species 113(see Table 2). 114 Acknowledgments 115We thank Frances Brigg (SABC, Murdoch University) for advice about fragment analysis and 116 operating the ABI 3730. We also thank David Fairclough, Gary Jackson, Jeff Norriss and other staff of 117

In preparation for a study on population structure of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), nine species-specific polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were developed. An initial screening of 50 individuals from Holbox Island, Mexico found all nine loci to be polymorphic, with two to 17 alleles observed per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.200 to 0.826 and from 0.213 to 0.857, respectively. Neither statistically significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations nor statistically significant linkage disequilibrium between loci were observed. These microsatellite loci appear suitable for examining population structure, kinship assessment and other applications.

We developed 13 species‐specific microsatellite markers for the federally endangered Atlantic slope unionid Alasmidonta heterodon. Four to 18 alleles per locus were observed among 30 individuals. Observed heterozygosity throughout the loci ranged from 26.9 to 86.2% and averaged 63.6%. Estimates of individual pairwise genetic distances indicated that levels of genetic diversity among loci were sufficient to produce unique multilocus genotypes for all animals surveyed. Randomization tests showed that genotypes for this collection were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg expectations, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between loci. These loci therefore appear suitable for population surveys, kinship assessment and other such applications.

The totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi, is endemic to the Gulf of California and is listed as threatened on the IUCN red list. In preparation for a study of the population genetic structure of this species 14 microsatellite loci were developed, all found to be moderately or highly polymorphic. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 1.00 (average 0.67), with the number of alleles ranging from three to 23 in 26 individuals. Only one locus was found to have statistically significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations -Tmac43 which exhibited a heterozygote deficit due possibly to null alleles. No statistically significant genetic disequilibrium was observed following Bonferroni correction. These microsatellite loci appear suitable for examining population structure, kinship assessment, and other applications.

Fourteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata). The loci were screened across 24 individuals from a single population sampled in the Delaware River. All loci were found to be polymorphic with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 8 to 20. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.350 to 0.900. Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed in five of 14 microsatellite loci. In each case, failure to meet Hardy-Weinberg expectation was due to heterozygote deficiency. Cross-species amplification was tested using four additional Elliptio species: E. hoptenensis, E. shepardiana, E. dariensis, andE. icterina.