Microsatellite marker development based on next-generation sequencing for the smooth marron (Cherax cainii, Austin) and cross-species amplification in other Cherax species.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The smooth marron, Cherax cainii is an important freshwater crustacean species for aquaculture and for a local wild fishery. C. tenuimanus, commonly known as the hairy marron is under threat from environmental impacts and genetic introgression from C. cainii that is hampering the survival of wild C. tenuimanus stocks. Marron are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and C. tenuimanus is restricted to only the Margaret River. RESULTS: To isolate microsatellite sequences, shotgun 454 pyrosequencing was performed resulting in 184,981 DNA sequence reads. Following screening for microsatellites, 8799 putative microsatellite loci were detected and PCR primers were designed for..