Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers for Radix balthica (Linnaeus 1758).

Area of Science:

• * Genetics and Evolutionary Biology
• * Molecular Ecology

Background:

• * Understanding population structure and gene flow is crucial for effective conservation and management of freshwater snails.
• * Microsatellite markers are valuable tools for population genetic studies due to their high polymorphism.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To isolate and characterize polymorphic microsatellite markers for the freshwater snail Radix balthica.
• * To evaluate the utility of these markers for analyzing population structure and migration rates across the species' range.
• * To investigate potential deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and their causes.

Main Methods:

• * Microsatellite-enriched DNA library construction for Radix balthica.
• * Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci.
• * Testing marker specificity and polymorphism in congeneric species.
• * Application of markers to analyze population samples across the species' range.

Main Results:

• * Successfully identified eight polymorphic microsatellite markers, with three specific to Radix balthica and five also amplifying congeneric species.
• * Demonstrated high informativeness of these loci for analyzing population structure and estimating migration rates.
• * Observed deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting a mixed mating system in Radix balthica populations.

Conclusions:

• * The developed microsatellite markers are powerful tools for population genetic research on Radix balthica.
• * These markers facilitate detailed analyses of population structure and gene flow.
• * Evidence suggests a mixed mating system influences the genetic equilibrium of Radix balthica populations.