Microsatellite DNA markers reveal new levels of genetic variation in northern pike

作者：Miller LM^*; Kapuscinski AR

来源：Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 1996, 125(6): 971-977.

DOI：10.1577/1548-8659(1996)125<0971:NMDMRN>2.3.CO;2

Using single-locus microsatellite markers, we have resolved higher levels of genetic variation than previously reported for northern pike Esox lucius. We isolated 14 (AC)(n) .(TG)(n) microsatellite loci from a genomic library of northern pike. Primer pairs for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were developed for nine of these loci. With PCR, a DNA-amplifying technique, we were able to assess genetic variability using fish scales as our source of DNA. In four populations, we found four polymorphic loci with three or four alleles at each locus. Average heterozygosity at all loci was 0.075. Although this level of genetic variability is the highest reported for this species, it is much lower than that found for many other fish species by using microsatellite markers. Small numbers of founder fish, combined with loss of variation due to genetic drift in the small populations typical of northern pike, may explain the relatively low levels of genetic variation we found.

• 出版日期1996-11