Development and characterization of EST-SSRs for Muscidae (Diptera) and their cross-genera transferability

Abstract

EST-SSR (Expressed Sequence Tag-Simple Sequence Repeat)markers were developed and used to examine genetic diversity of species assemblages of ten genera of Muscidae (Diptera), and specifically the genetic diversity of Phaonia Robineau species, from ten regions in China. 18 EST-SSR markers with high polymorphism and clear bands were screened out from 216 tested markers, with 219 alleles in total (95–280 bp) with an average of 6.1 alleles per locus. In various regions in China such as Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan, Muscidae species assemblages exhibited rich genetic diversity, with the polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.831 to 0.934, while Hainan region showed a relatively low genetic diversity (PIC = 0.511). Low gene flow (Nm = 0.842) was found among the regions, and the average genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) was 0.238, indicating a high degree of genetic differentiation among the ten surveyed assemblages. Accordingly, the ten genera of Muscidae exhibited high genetic diversity and genetic differentiation.