Polymorphic microsatellite loci optimised for studies on the convict cichlid fish (Amatitlania siquia)

• Published in: Environmental biology of fishes Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 261 - 266
• Main Authors: Lee-Jenkins, Stacey S. Y., Densmore, Adam M., Godin, Jean-Guy J., Smith, Myron L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal and plant ecology; Animal populations; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Environment; Fish; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic diversity; Genetic markers; Genetic structure; Life Sciences; Nature Conservation; Polymorphism; Population genetics; Vertebrata; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Zoology; Convict cichlid; Microsatellites; Family genetic structure; Brood mixing; Vertebrata; Microsatellite DNA; Pisces; Cichlidae; Population genetics; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0378-1909; 1573-5133
• DOI: 10.1007/s10641-011-9829-8

The neotropical convict cichlid fish ( Amatitlania siquia ) is an important model species for the study of animal behaviour. It is therefore surprising that no genetic markers are available for this species. Here, we have optimised four polymorphic microsatellite loci for use with this fish, where each locus comprises between 9 and 28 alleles. We demonstrate how these markers can be used to genotype fry (young) and for the analyses of genetic structure and prevalence of interfamilial mixing within biparental broods of wild convict cichlids. These microsatellites will facilitate future research, hitherto not possible, on the molecular, behavioural and evolutionary ecology of the convict cichlid and possibly other closely related species.