Specificity
and sensitivity of microsatellite markers for the identification of larvae
T.S. Morgan, A.D. Rogers-2001
Marine Biology, 139(5): 967-973
Abstract:
The identification of larval marine invertebrates to
species or even higher taxonomic levels by morphological examination is
notoriously difficult. Many diagnostic features are absent or poorly formed
at early stages in development. This is particularly true for the larvae of
bivalve molluscs, for which a routine and accurate method of identification
would prove valuable to both ecologists and fishery managers. A simple
molecular genetic method to identify specifically larvae of the European
oyster, Ostrea edulis L., 1758, is presented. The test is based on
PCR amplification of highly species-specific microsatellite loci and is
sensitive enough to register the presence of a single larval individual
(~200 µm width) in a mixed sample of 20 mg wet weight plankton
(approximately 250 larval animals). This work demonstrates that
microsatellite loci can be used as highly sensitive and specific taxonomic
indicators, for studies of planktonic larvae. Details of three novel
microsatellite loci are also given for O. edulis, increasing the
suite of molecular tools available for use in population genetic studies of
this commercially important species.
(School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of
Southampton, Southampton Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton,
SO14 3ZH, UK, E-mail of A.D. Rogers: adr2@soc.soton.ac.uk)