Genetic diversity and differentiation of nine populations of the hard clam (Meretrix petechialis) assessed by EST-derived microsatellites

Abstract

Background: Meretrix petechialis is one of the commercially important marine bivalves. In this study, we selected six highly polymorphic EST-derived microsatellite markers to assess the genetic diversity and population differentiation on nine wild populations of Meretrix petechialis. Results: The number of alleles detected per locus ranged from 4 to 30 (mean NA = 27.5) with a total of 165 alleles. The mean value of observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.717 to 0.861 and from 0.797 to 0.856, respectively. Meanwhile, the result of Neighbor-joining and overall FST = 0.214 (P < 0.01) reveled that M. petechialis populations from GX are the farthest populations, a certain degree of genetic variation among individuals in each population and the genetic differentiation is significant. Conclusions: GX population has high genetic diversity among individual, and there are certain differences in genetic characteristics among different populations. This study will provide a basis for the domestication and cultivation of genetic diversity of M. petechialis population and the protection of clam germplasm resources. How to cite: Xu Q, Zheng J, Yan X, et al. Genetic diversity and differentiation of nine populations of the hard clam (Meretrix petechialis) assessed by EST-derived microsatellites. Electron J Biotechnol 2020;48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2020.09.003

Keywords

• Alleles
• EST
• Genetic diversity
• Germplasm
• Hard clam
• Locus