Isolation and characterization of eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci from two closely related clupeid species (Alosa alosa and A-fallax)

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were developed through an enrichment protocol for allis shad (Alosa alosa) and twaite shad (A. fallax). Cross-species amplification was successful for all loci isolated. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to nine for A. alosa and from two to seven for A. fallax, while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.267 to 0.926 and from 0.240 to 0.727, respectively. These markers will constitute useful tools for studies of population structure and gene flow between two closely related hybridizing species.