Isolation of microsatellite loci in the freshwater fish, the bitterling Rhodeus sericeus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

We isolated 30 microsatellites from the freshwater fish, the bitterling Rhodeus sericeus. Twenty-three microsatellite sequences possessed sufficient flanking DNA from which to design primers. Twelve loci were characterized and all were found to be polymorphic. These loci were isolated and characterized as part of a project to investigate the consequences of male alternative mating tactics and sperm competition using the bitterling as a model species.