Microsatellite multiplex panels for genetic studies of three species of marine fishes: red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), and cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Multiplex panels of nuclear-encoded microsatellites were developed for three species of marine fishes of interest to both public and private aquaculture ventures: red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), and cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The multiplex panels will be useful in a variety of applications, including strain and hybrid identification, parentage assignment, pedigree reconstruction, estimating genetic diversity and/or inbreeding, mapping of quantitative trait loci, and marker-assisted selection. The panels also will be useful in studies of stock structure of ‘wild’ populations. Comparison of costs for expendable supplies revealed that four- and eight-panel multiplexes reduced expenditures four- and eight-fold, respectively, relative to single microsatellite gels. Personnel time also was reduced significantly.