Novel genomic microsatellite markers for genetic population and diversity studies of tropical scalloped spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) and their potential application in related Panulirus species.

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellites with perfect di-, tri-, and tetra-nucleotide repeats were identified for Panulirus homarus using Roche 454 whole-genome sequencing method. Microsatellites were efficiently co-amplified in four multiplexes and a singleplex, providing consistent and easily interpretable genotypes. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 with the observed and expected heterozygosity ranging between 0.000-0.532 and 0.031-0.836, respectively. A significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed for majority of the loci, probably due to homozygote excess. Genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis between all the possible pairs of the loci showed significant departure from the null hypothesis in the loci pairs Pho-G11-Pho-G33 and Pho-G33-Pho-G57. High success in primer cross-species amplification of these microsatellite markers indicates their utility for genetic studies of different Panulirus species.