Development of the First Microsatellite Multiplex PCR Panel for Meagre ( Argyrosomus regius ), a Commercial Aquaculture Species

• Published in: Fishes
• Main Authors: Antonio Vallecillos, Emilio María-Dolores, Javier Villa, Francisco Miguel Rueda, José Carrillo, Guillermo Ramis, Mohamed Soula, Juan Manuel Afonso, Eva Armero
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022
• Subjects: meagre ( Argyrosomus regius ); microsatellites; parental assignment; PCR; population; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Genetics; QH426-470; Red drum; Sciaenops ocellatus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7030117; https://doaj.org/article/d7dc993acba74e78a66fa2e0db447cd9

In this study, a microsatellite-based multiplex PCR panel for meagre ( Argyrosomus regius ) was developed as a useful and single tool in parental assignment and population studies. Twenty-one specific and interspecific microsatellites from different aquaculture species of meagre ( Argyrosomus regius ), Japanese meagre ( A. japonicus ), red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus ) and yellow meagre ( Acoupa weakfish ) were assessed for genetic variability, allelic range and genotype reliability. Finally, a SuperMultiplex for Argyrosomus regius (SMAr) was designed with only the best eight microsatellite markers. The panel assessment was performed using a batch of brood stock from one company and a sample of 616 offspring. It was possible to assign 95% of the offspring to a single pair of parents using the exclusion method. It is therefore considered an easy procedure, and a powerful and low-cost tool for parental assignment to support companies’ breeding programs and to exchange information between research groups.