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Abstract

In previous research, microsatellite markers have been used to geographically and phylogenetically characterize and identify populations of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus Gmelin). Given that sea scallops are a closely related species to bay scallops (Argopecten irradians Lamarck), we have investigated whether the flanking DNA sequences of sea scallop microsatellite loci have been conserved in the bay scallop. We found that in all seven sets of published sea scallop PCR primers (Pma130, -132, -135, -180, -200, -212, and -275) that were tested with bay scallop DNA, there was sequence conservation and amplification of microsatellite regions. Our initial phylogenetic analyses, combined with the lack of any null alleles in bay scallops for the tested loci, confirm the close genetic distance between bay and sea scallops. These “new” bay scallop primers can be employed in future studies examining both natural and cultured populations of bay scallop and further inquiries into the phylogeny between bay and sea scallops.

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