Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the endangered northern riffleshell mussel Epioblasma torulosa rangiana (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Abstract

AbstractPrimers for six polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the endangered northern riffleshell Epioblasma torulosa rangiana from the Sydenham River, Ontario, Canada. These loci along with an additional nine microsatellite loci, developed from other unionoid species, available in the literature, were tested and characterized on individuals from two populations in the Allegheny River; one population in French Creek, PA, USA, and one population from the Sydenham River. Allelic diversity ranged from two to 28 alleles per locus and averaged 13.7 per locus. These primers are being used in a rangewide study on the conservation genetics of remaining extant populations of the northern riffleshell.