Characterisation of eleven new polymorphic microsatellite markers for the coastal stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata (Dasyatidae Hutton 1875), and cross-amplification in seven dasyatid species

Twelve microsatellite loci were developed for the short-tailed stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata using a next-generation sequencing approach, and their utility for population genetics studies was assessed. Eleven out of twelve loci were polymorphic (4-15 alleles) and amplified reliably, with observed heterozygosities between 0.32 and 0.86 (mean = 0.56). Successful cross-species amplification of many of these markers was achieved across seven other dasyatid species currently listed as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN, suggesting these microsatellites will be a useful resource for the investigation of ecological and conservation genetics in a range of species of conservation concern.