Characterization of 13 microsatellite loci for the tope shark, Galeorhinus galeus, discovered with next-generation sequencing and their utility for eastern Pacific smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus)

Abstract

The tope shark, Galeorhinus galeus, is a commercially important member of the Triakidae that has been exploited globally for the past 80 years. Here we describe 13 microsatellite loci for G. galeus discovered by next-generation sequencing (Roche 454 pyrosequencing) and their utility for eastern Pacific smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus). These loci were polymorphic (3–12 alleles) with observed heterozygosity between 0.11 and 0.86 and expected heterozygosity between 0.24 and 0.87. Several loci (7 of 13) amplified consistently for Mustelus californicus and M. henlei. These loci are the first to be characterized explicitly for G. galeus and should be useful in the investigation of population structure of this vulnerable elasmobranch.