Isolation and cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in the freshwater minnow Zacco pachycephalus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) for diversity and conservation genetic analysis

Asian minnows of the genus Zacco are dominant fish in various freshwater ecosystems. Two species, Zacco pachycephalus and Z. platypus, occur in Taiwan and are favourite targets for local sport anglers. The introduction of Zacco fish into nonindigenous habitats in Taiwan has become a conservation issue. We developed eight polymorphic microsatellites for Z. pachycephalus (average H E = 0.779) and these microsatellites were applicable to Z. platypus, which showed a comparable polymorphic level (average HE = 0.784). These loci can be used as genetic markers for identifying conservation units and studying population differentiation for both Zacco species.