Isolation and characterisation of nine microsatellite markers in the boring giant clam (Tridacna crocea) and cross-amplification in five other tridacnid species

Nine novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated in the boring giant clam (Tridacna crocea). The number of alleles ranged from 7 to 21. The observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.400 to 1.000 and 0.727 to 0.932, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found and eight of nine loci were in Hardy-Weinberg proportions. Cross-amplification in other tridacnid species showed that all loci could be successfully amplified in , five in , three in , three in , and three in . These markers are therefore potentially useful for studies on the genetic diversity and connectivity of giant clam populations in order to facilitate the spatial arrangement of marine protected areas (MPAs) and fisheries management for these species.