Microsatellite panels for gene localization in red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

A mapping tool for the economically important, aquacultured species red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is described. The tool consists of multiplex panels, each of which contains 3–4 microsatellite markers that span individual linkage groups, with a spacing of ≤ 25 cM in either male- or female-specific maps or a combined map. A total of 27 newly-designed microsatellite markers were added to a previously generated map and then localized to specific linkage groups, using a de novo single-pair cross, in order to demonstrate the utility of the tool. All 27 markers were successfully localized when 100 progeny were genotyped; 26 of the markers were localized when 25, 50, or 75 progeny were genotyped. The tool will allow researchers without access to tissue from original crosses to localize genes of interest, including quantitative trait loci (QTL), to specific linkage groups (chromosomes), using a subset of microsatellite markers.