Isolation and characterization of ten microsatellite loci in the catfish Trichomycterus areolatus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae), with cross-amplification in seven Trichomycterinae species

A total of ten microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the endangered freshwater catfish Trichomycterus areolatus from Chile. Samples from three separate watersheds were also analyzed. The mean number of alleles per locus in a sample of 63 individuals was 4 (1-13 alleles per locus) and the observed heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.83. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in all loci except for a few isolated cases, while none of the loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium. Cross-amplification analysis showed a low number of loci and alleles amplified in other seven species of the Family Trichomycteridae.