Isolation and use of microsatellite loci in Melicertus kerathurus (Crustacea, Penaeidae).

Melicertus kerathurus represents an economically important resource for fisheries and aquaculture. Seven microsatellite loci from 373 specimens of M. kerathurus collected in different parts of the Mediterranean and NE Atlantic were identified. Four of these microsatellites showed a moderate level of polymorphism, with 2 to 14 alleles per locus, whereas three had a monomorphic profile. Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.28 to0.64 and 0.28 to 0.65, respectively. Three microsatellite loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in some populations, with a deficit of heterozygosity. Mean Fst values showed significant differentiation among sample sites analysed and indicate that these loci are useful for the study of genetic variation in this species. These results may supply functional information on the population genetic structure of Melicertus kerathurus, valuable for future sustainable management strategies.