EST-based microsatellites for northern pike (Esox lucius) and cross-amplification across all Esox species

Northern pike experience a global decline of populations and a better understanding of the species' population genetic diversity and structure is needed for proper conservation and management. We developed 17 novel microsatellite markers in North American northern pike, Esox lucius, and tested cross-amplification on European populations as well as all five other Esox species. One marker deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium among all loci pairs was observed. A mean of 6.88 alleles per locus was found (between 2 and 23 alleles) and mean expected heterozygozity was 0.49 (range 0.033-0.950). All loci were successfully amplified on E. lucius from North America and Europe and E. reichertii. Between eight and 11 loci were successfully amplified in other Esox species and four out of 17 loci were successfully cross-amplified on all species.