Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Brachyura: Ocypodidae)

The isolation and characterization of the first polymorphic microsatellite markers for the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus are described. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from three to 25, mean of nine alleles, in 46 crabs captured in two Brazilian mangroves. The markers averaged high levels of observed (0.709  ±  0.183) and expected (0.716  ±  0.170) heterozygosities. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed at two loci. Linkage disequilibrium tests were not significant and no evidence of null alleles was detected. All these microsatellite loci are expected to be useful in estimating fine-scale population processes of this valuable mangrove species currently subjected to excessive fishing efforts.