Development and characterization of nine microsatellite loci for the endangered Kidneyshell, Ptychobranchus fasciolaris, and cross-amplification in closely-related lampsilines (Bivalvia: Unionoida)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the unionid Ptychobranchus fasciolaris. Screening of individuals from two Ontario rivers detected 4-15 alleles per locus and within-population heterozygosities from 0.280 to 0.800. Cross-amplification tests in six other lampsiline species largely yielded polymorphic data, suggesting that these loci should prove useful in population assessments for other species as well.