Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for the Amazonian catfish Pseudoplatystoma punctifer (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae)

Abstract

The large catfish Pseudoplatystoma punctifer has a high commercial value in the Amazon. Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in 36-39 individuals of this species sampled at the Purus river (Amazon Basin). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18 (average 7.4), the observed heterozygosity (H O) from 0.025 to 0.972 and the expected heterozygosity (H E) from 0.025 to 0.931. Two loci showed a Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium deviation. No linkage disequilibrium was found among the studied loci. Fourteen microsatellite loci were cross-amplified successfully in six other Pimelodidae species. Therefore, these loci may be valuable for other studies of population genetic structure as well as for catfish conservation in the Amazon basin. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.