Development and characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Sargassum vachellianum

Sargassum vachellianum is important in maintaining the structure and function of littoral ecosystems in China. In this study, we developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers in this species by 5' anchored PCR technique. Across these markers, a total of 25 alleles were detected in a single population of 31 individuals of S. vachellianum. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to three, with an allele size ranging from 123 to 309 bp. The observed and expected heterozygosity of each locus were 0.03-0.70, and 0.03-0.50. These are the first microsatellites developed for S. vachellianum and provide a useful tool for further genetic studies on its natural resources genetic diversity and population differentiation.