Microsatellite markers for the threatened Australian freshwater fish, Macquarie Perch (Macquaria australasica)

Abstract

The Macquarie Perch, Macquaria australasica, is a threatened Australian native freshwater fish which exists as a number of spatially fragmented and genetically divergent populations throughout its range. As a result of historical and contemporary processes, local populations of the species are vulnerable to the effects of genetic erosion. Conservation of the species is dependent on a small number of stable populations however, knowledge regarding the genetic diversity within these populations is limited to information derived from non species-specific markers. In this paper the development and testing of eleven dinucleotide microsatellite markers developed for Macquarie Perch is described. These markers will provide an additional resource for evaluating fine-scale patterns of genetic divergence and diversity within and among populations of this iconic species.