Characterization of 20 highly variable tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and cross-amplification in other Salvelinus species

We describe the isolation and development of 20 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). In a sample of 76 fish, we observed between four and 23 alleles per locus. These loci show greater levels of genetic diversity than other loci previously examined in bull trout. Seventeen of these loci were also polymorphic in at least one of the following species: Salvelinus alpinus, Salvelinus malma, Salvelinus namaycush and Salvelinus fontinalis. These loci will aid in our understanding of the molecular ecology of bull trout and other char.