Novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for the eastern king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus

Eastern king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) plebejus, is an endemic Australian species which is heavily exploited both commercially and recreationally in estuaries and in offshore trawl fisheries across several jurisdictions. P. plebejus shows extensive movement throughout the known distribution range during various life history stages (Montgomery et al. in Fish Res 80:80–87, 2007). It is currently unknown whether there is a full migration throughout the species range, or step-wise migration, and identifying the origins of important spawning populations remains as a challenge. We report 20 high resolution microsatellite markers, to address such questions and assist conservation planning for long-term sustainability.