Development of 11 microsatellite loci for population studies in the swordfish, <i>Xiphias gladius</i> (Teleostei: Scombridae)

Abstract

Abstract Eleven microsatellite loci were developed in the swordfish, Xiphias gladius , to examine population structure. Loci were amplified in samples from two geographically distant populations (Ecuador and Mediterranean Sea). Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.150 to 0.960. Most loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations with the exception of locus Xg‐59, which had a heterozygote deficit caused probably by null alleles. Locus Xg‐402 did not show significant divergence between the populations. The remaining nine loci showed statistically significant spatial heterogeneity (genic differentiation) between the two populations, making them useful for future studies of population structure in swordfish.