Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Valencia letourneuxi (Valenciidae) and cross-amplification in two other cyprinodontiform species

Fourteen microsatellite loci were isolated from the critically endangered Corfu toothcarp Valencia letourneuxi using a microsatellite enrichment protocol and selective hybridization with a biotinylated (AC) probe. Nine of these loci were polymorphic in a V. letourneuxi population of 20 individuals (Vlychos stream) with mean number of alleles per locus = 2.55 and mean observed heterozygosity = 0.3447. Moreover, some of these 9 microsatellite markers and the remaining five loci, monomorphic in V. letourneuxi, were found to be polymorphic in the Spanish samaruc Valencia hispanica and the Mediterranean toothcarp Aphanius fasciatus. These microsatellite loci are expected to be used for population genetic analysis as well as studying the genetic diversity of this endangered species.