In Silico Screening and Development of Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Analysis in Perca fluviatilis

Perca fluviatilis is an economically important species of freshwater fish. To understand the genetic structure of P. fluviatilis in China, 268 samples were collected from Wulungu Lake (WL), Jili Lake (JL), the Wulungu River (WR), and the Kalaeerqisi River (KR). These samples were then analyzed using microsatellite markers. A total of 98,425 microsatellite markers were developed based on the genomic data, and 29 polymorphic microsatellite markers were selected to analyze genetic diversity in this study. The number of alleles (Na) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) per population ranged from 4.621 (KR) to 11.172 (WL) and from 0.510 (KR) to 0.716 (JL), respectively. The results of the polymorphic information content (PIC) showed that the WL, JL, and WR populations were highly polymorphic (PIC≥ 0.5) and that the KR population was moderately polymorphic (0.25 ≤ PIC < 0.5). The genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) among the four P. fluviatilis populations was 0.074, indicating moderate genetic differentiation among the populations in Xinjiang. The reason for the significant difference between the rivers and lakes could be the presence of a dam blocking the flow of P. fluviatilis. The development of microsatellite markers provides support for population genetics in the future. The evaluation of the genetic structure of P. fluviatilis in Xinjiang provides a reference for the reproduction and conservation of P. fluviatilis.