Microsatellite markers for the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus

We describe eight microsatellite markers for the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, a commonly used 'biological sentinel' species in ecotoxicology studies. Thirty-four individuals from a single population were tested for polymorphism. Markers possessed between two and 15 alleles per locus, and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.06 and 0.92 (observed heterozygosity 0.03-0.92). Unfortunately, no consistent cross-species amplification was observed in the related congeners Lumbricus castaneus and Lumbricus terrestris.