Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Rhaphiodon vulpinus (Cynodontidae, Characiformes) and their cross-amplification in other Cynodontinae species

Eleven microsatellite markers were developed for Rhaphiodon vulpinus, a widely distributed fish in the Amazon region. Recently, the Amazon fishes are being threatened by the construction of several dams, therefore genetic investigations are essential to further evaluate the impact of these dams on native species. Two R. vulpinus populations were analyzed and 3-20 alleles were found, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging between 0.24 and 0.90 and between 0.22 and 0.90, respectively. After Bonferroni correction, no significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium were detected. These microsatellite loci were cross-amplified in others six Cynodontinae species and at least five loci demonstrated to be useful.