Characterization and isolation of DNA microsatellite primers in Raja clavata L. (thornback ray, Rajidae)

The thornback ray, Raja clavata, is an elasmobranch (cartilaginous fish). Since the 1950s, its stock has severely declined. In order to investigate the genetic population structure of the species, we developed microsatellite loci. The five loci reported here have eight to 48 alleles per locus and display an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.32 to 0.98 with no deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In the test panel of 122 individuals from three populations, no null alleles, band-stuttering, large allele dropouts or linkage disequilibrium was detected.