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Development of novel microsatellite markers for the invasive Northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis

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Abstract

The Northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis, is a benthic marine predator, which has recently established several invasive populations in Australian waters. To investigate population structure, diversity and patterns of connectivity, we isolated and characterised 27 microsatellite loci and tested their polymorphism based on 46 individuals from two invasive populations. The mean allelic richness was 4.33; observed heterozygosity was 0.42, while the percentage of polymorphic loci was 92.6%. The polymorphic markers will prove useful in the assessment of population genetic parameters, in both invasive and native A. amurensis populations.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank J. Ross and J. Keane for help with obtaining samples from Tasmania and A. Miller for technical assistance. The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, awarded to MFR, and a Central Research Grant Scheme grant, awarded to CDHS, supported research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Rd, Geelong, VIC, 3217, Australia

    Mark F. Richardson, Annalise M. Stanley & Craig D. H. Sherman

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  1. Mark F. Richardson
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  2. Annalise M. Stanley
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  3. Craig D. H. Sherman
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Correspondence to Mark F. Richardson.

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Richardson, M.F., Stanley, A.M. & Sherman, C.D.H. Development of novel microsatellite markers for the invasive Northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis . Conservation Genet Resour 4, 327–330 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9539-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9539-8

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