ABSTRACT. Branchiostoma belcheri Gray is a second-class, nationally protected protochordate in China. We developed 10 novel polymorphic sites in B. belcheri, which were examined using a population of 30 wild individuals from Xiamen, China. The polymorphism information content ranged between 0.141 and 0.681, and the number of alleles varied from 2 to 5. The expected and observed heterozygosities varied between 0.1528 and 0.6920, and between 0.1429 and 0.5000, respectively. These novel microsatellite markers will facilitate the genetic analysis and protection of wild B. belcheri individuals, and the possible re-stocking of the species in the long-term.

ABSTRACT. Tropical commercial sea cucumber Stichopus horrens is extensively distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, and wild stocks have been severely depleted over the past decade. In this study, we used the microsatellite enrichment library of S. horrens to identify and characterize 13 microsatellite loci, including 11 polymorphic loci and 2 monomorphic loci. Among the 11 polymorphic loci, the number of alleles was 3-8. The observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.1364 to 0.8966 and from 0.1653 to 0.7551, respectively. Additionally, all 11 polymorphic loci showed moderate and high polymorphism with the polymorphism information content (0.271-0.7311). A total of 9 polymorphic loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for 2 loci (adjusted P = 0.004545). Linkage disequilibrium was not detected in any pairs of polymorphic loci. The present study will be useful for studying genetic structure, population conservation, and breeding of wild S. horrens; moreover, our results contribute to the phylogeny and evolutionary research of Holothuroidea.

ABSTRACT. Until recently, Fenneropenaeus penicillatus was considered a commercial shrimp species. However, in 2005, it was included on the Red List as an endangered species by the Chinese government. In this study, 19 new microsatellite markers in F. penicillatus were developed and tested in samples of 32 wild individuals from Nanao, China. Twelve loci were polymorphic and 7 were monomorphic. Of the 12 polymorphic loci, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 6, with an average of 4.42 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.302 to 0.670, with a mean of 0.4817. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.2250 to 0.8889 and from 0.1111 to 0.7750, respectively. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE, adjusted P < 0.0042) after a Bonferroni correction were observed in 3 loci (NA-9, NA-57, and NA-64), whereas the other 9 loci were in HWE. These new microsatellite markers will be useful in further research on the population genetic structure of F. penicillatus.

ABSTRACT. Thirteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers inFenneropenaeus penicillatus were isolated and characterized. The polymorphism of the thirteen microsatellite markers was tested by 30 individuals from Lianjiang, China. It showed that the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 6 and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) was from 0.324 to 0.706. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.3217-0.8023 and 0.1977-0.6783, respectively. Only one loci (LJ-19) deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P < 0.00385) after Bonferroni correction, while the other twelve markers were in HWE after Bonferroni correction (P > 0.00385). The thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers could provide more genetic data for further research on cultivation and recovery of F. penicillatus.

ABSTRACT. The hybrid giant tiger grouper is a fish that has considerable commercial value and has become increasingly important for aquaculture in South East Asia since 2008. In order to prevent any reduction in genetic diversity in hybrid grouper as a result of aquaculture, we have identified 21 microsatellite markers that can be used to estimate genetic variation in the fish population. The number of alleles at polymorphic microsatellite loci ranged from 2 to 7, and observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0323 to 0.9643 and 0.0921 to 0.7174, respectively. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.088 to 0.737. Nineteen of the 21 loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.005) after application of the Bonferroni correction (k = 10), the exceptions being ZZLD35 (P < 0.005) and ZZLD36 (P < 0.001). No linkage disequilibrium was 14707 Novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in grouper ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (4): 14706-14710 (2015) detected. These 21 microsatellite markers are potentially of great value for analyzing genetic diversity to provide essential information for sustainable management of these fish.