Characterization of 38 EST-derived SNP markers in Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri) and their cross-species utility in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis)

Abstract

Scallops are bivalve molluscs of worldwide commercial significance. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies provides an excellent opportunity to rapidly and cost-effectively discover a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in scallops. Here we described an approach that could be potentially used to screen interspecific transferable SNPs from transcriptomic data. Following this approach, 38 polymorphic SNP markers were developed in Zhikong scallop, of which 8 were also polymorphic in Yesso scallop, resulting in a transferability rate of 21 %, which is 4.6 times higher than that from randomly selected SNP markers. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the survey of SNP transferability in scallops. SNP markers developed in this study would be useful in genetic studies as well as evolutionary studies in the two scallop species.