Characterisation of eleven new polymorphic microsatellite markers for the coastal stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata (Dasyatidae Hutton 1875), and cross-amplification in seven dasyatid species

Twelve microsatellite loci were developed for the short-tailed stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata using a next-generation sequencing approach, and their utility for population genetics studies was assessed. Eleven out of twelve loci were polymorphic (4–15 alleles) and amplified reliably, with observed heterozygosities between 0.32 and 0.86 (mean = 0.56). Successful cross-species amplification of many of these markers was achieved across seven other dasyatid species currently listed as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN, suggesting these microsatellites will be a useful resource for the investigation of ecological and conservation genetics in a range of species of conservation concern.