Characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Black Drummer (Girella elevata) developed using 454 next-generation sequencing

Black Drummer (Girella elevata) is a long-lived fish species that experiences considerable recreational fishing pressure, although managers lack a clear understanding of stock structure and dispersal patterns that are essential for the design, implementation, and administration of fisheries stock management. We used 454 sequencing to identify and develop 11 microsatellite primer pairs from 31 G. elevata. All loci were found to be polymorphic, with the number of alleles detected ranging from 4 to 8 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.19 to 0.87. These markers will be used to assess the genetic diversity and connectivity throughout the range of G. elevata, which can assist in the development of population management strategies.