Abstract
Novel leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) microsatellite loci were developed via standard cloning techniques and tested for use in population genetics studies. Six out of a total of twelve microsatellites tested were usable for population analysis. Seadragon samples from Western Australia (N = 6), Southern Australia (N = 11), and a captive group (N = 11) were analyzed. Here, we present leafy seadragon microsatellite primer sequences for all 12 loci and population genetics statistics for the six loci that amplified consistently and displayed adequate variability to estimate population parameters, such as diversity, population differences, and relatedness. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.225 to 0.926 and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.278 to 0.650. Pairwise differences among populations (FST estimates) from samples collected off the southern coast of Western and South Australia, and captive animals ranged from a low of 0.188 between Southern Australia and captive animals, to a high of 0.212 between Western Australia and captive animals. Statistical assignment analyses suggested between one and three populations. Percent first order relatives among individuals was high and ranged from 40 within Western Australia to 55 within captive animals. These loci were tested on other species including weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), as well as assorted seahorses (Hippocampus reidi, H. erectus) and pipefish (Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus, D. pessuliferus, Corythoichthys intestinalis, Syngnathus leptorhynchus) with no success.
Highlights
Leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques, are one of the most celebrated and ornate members of the Syngnathidae family
All 12 loci reported resulted in amplified Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products within leafy seadragons
The loci are specific to leafy seadragons as in more than ten repeated trials they did not reproducibly amplify a product in weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), two seahorse (Hippocampus reidi and H. erectus), and assorted pipefish
Summary
Phycodurus eques, are one of the most celebrated and ornate members of the Syngnathidae family. The juveniles are 2 cm long but grow fast, reaching 20 cm when only a year old, and reaching their mature length by two [2] They are only found in southern Australian waters and are the state marine emblem of South Australia [3]. Inhabiting the rocky coastal areas at depths up to 20–25 m to the surface and in temperate waters ranging between 9–21 °C, seadragons are found associated with kelp or seagrass beds, such as clumps of Sargassum, to which they bear a remarkable resemblance [2,7] Their elaborate leafy appendages and striking appearance have made them popular for public aquarium display; breeding in captivity has proven very difficult. We report the isolation and characterization of the first polymorphic microsatellite markers for the study of population structure and genetic diversity within the leafy seadragons
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