Identification of microsatellite markers associated with growth traits in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides L.)

Forty microsatellite loci were selected to amplify the genomic DNA of cultured stock of largemouth bass(Micropterus salmoides L.) in China.Genotypic differences of these microsatellites loci were analyzed using χ2-test be-tween the maximal weight group and minimal weight group.Sixteen microsatellites showing significantly difference(P0.1) were used in genotyping 121 individuals,and the associations between their genotypes and growth traits were examined.Microsatellite loci of JZL60,JZL67,JZL72,JZL124,MiSaTPW76,MiSaTPW117 and MiSaTPW173 were significantly as-sociated with body weight,body length,and body height(P0.05 or P0.01).The most favorable genotypes for growth traits were AA at JZL60,BB at JZL67,AC at JZL72,BB at MiSaTPW76 and BC at MiSaTPW117.In addition,a total of 47alleles for the 16 loci were detected(2~5 alleles for each locus).The average effective number of alleles(Ae),observed heterozygosity(Ho),expected heterozygosity(He) and mean polymorphic information content(PIC) was 2.938,0.515,0.500 and 0.445,respectively,both of which indicated that the population genetic diversity was medium.