Microsatellite markers for the endangered razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus , are widely applicable to genetic studies of other catostomine fishes

We developed 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the federally endangered razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus. PCR optimization and cross-species amplification experiments indicated that these markers will be useful for analysis of fine-scale population structure in razorback and two other sucker species; the white sucker, Catostomus commersonii and the Rio Grande sucker, C. plebeius. Alleles at locus Xte4 did not overlap when compared between razorback and bluehead (C. discobolus) suckers and permits detection of F1 hybrids. These microsatellite markers appear widely applicable for identifying genetic consequences of population decline, hatchery rearing and release, and hybridization in razorback and other castostomine suckers.