PCR multiplex tool with 10 microsatellites for the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) — Applications in genetic differentiation of populations and parental assignment

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a fish of high commercial value both from fisheries and aquaculture, especially in the Mediterranean countries. Population genetic studies with molecular markers have aimed at assessing the structure of wild and hatchery stocks, as well as evaluating genetic interactions between them. The increasing demand for population genetic studies in D. labrax prompts for robust and low cost genetic tagging tools for large-scale population analysis, to assist in genetic management and selection programs. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR technique adapted to automated DNA detection systems, taking advantage of the existing microsatellites from D. labrax. A 10 loci multiplex (Dl10plex) with high allelic variability, high PIC value and no evidence of null alleles was obtained. Dl10plex was successfully applied to differentiating one Atlantic and one Mediterranean wild samples, as well as to effectively trace parents in an artificial cross, in which a large variation in parental contribution was detected. These results support its use in a standardized way, thus opening the possibility for a more reliable comparison of data from different sources and accelerating the understanding of D. labrax stock status, both in wild and cultivated populations.