Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for the spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata (Buccinidae)

The spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, is one of the most extensively cultured marine mollusks in southeast Asia. Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for this species, from a microsatellite-enriched library. These markers, characterized in 32 individuals from a hatchery population, were polymorphic, with allele numbers ranging from 6 to 18 per locus, expected and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.68 to 0.94 and 0.56 to 0.81, respectively. One locus (HUBA09) showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, probably due to the presence of null alleles. These microsatellite loci should be useful for future population genetic studies and marker-assisted breeding in this species.