Development of 20 novel microsatellite markers in the Hong Kong oyster, Crassostrea hongkongensis

Twenty microsatellite markers were developed for the Hong Kong oyster, Crassostrea hongkongensis, and their polymorphisms were examined in a population. Allele numbers varied from 4 to 19 with an average of 9.35 per locus; observed heterozygosities fluctuated from 0.125 to 0.833 averaging 0.520, and the expected values ranged from 0.233 to 0.938 with an average of 0.664. Fifteen loci accorded statistically with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, while others showed a significant departure from the equilibrium, apparently due to heterozygote deficiency. Additionally, two pairs of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium. Possible causes for null alleles were also discussed. In despite of null alleles, this set of microsatellite loci would be useful for genetic studies in C. hongkongensis.