Polymorphic microsatellite markers in the Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri

The colony hybridization method was presented for isolating microsatellite markers in Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri. We designed primers to amplify 26 unique microsatellites. Fourteen primer pairs amplified clearly and were polymorphic. Based on characterization with 60 unrelated individuals, the number of alleles ranges from two to 13, and the expected heterozygosity ranges from 0.22 to 0.91. These markers have the potential for genetic studies in population structure and intraspecific variation.