Microsatellite DNA Markers Reveal New Levels of Genetic Variation in NorthernPike

摘要

Using single-locus microsatellite markers, the authors have resolved higherlevels of genetic variation than previously reported for nothern pike Esox lucius. The authors isolated 14 (AC)n(dot)(TG)n microsatellite loci from a genomic library of northern pike. Primer pairs for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were developed for nine of these loci. With PCR, a DNA-amplifying technique, the authors were able to assess genetic variability using fish scales as their source of DNA. In four populations, the authors found four polymorphic loci with three or four alleles at each locus. Average heterozygosity at all loci was 0.075. Although this level of genetic variability is the highest reported for this species, it is much lower than that found for may other fish species by using microsatellite markers.