Development of a microsatellite multiplex genotyping tool for the fish Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): applicability in population genetics and pedigree analysis

In spite of the numerous studies performed in the aquacultured ¢sh gilthead seabream, the overall struc- ture of wild and cultivated stocks is rather confusing. In this study, we developed a 10 microsatellite genotyp- ing tool SaGT(614), conformed by two polymerase chain reaction-multiplex reactions (SaGT6 and SaGT4), which can be simultaneously combined in automatic sequencers. The utility of this tool was proven through the following applications: (i) characterization and dif- ferentiation of wild and cultivated populations; (ii) ped- igree reconstruction and estimation of the e¡ective size in a cultivated stock; (iii) ability for pedigree recon- struction under di¡erent simulated situations; and (iv) determination of genetic relationships in the absence of data from parents. Based on our results, some re- commendations have been provided on the manage- ment of the screened stocks. Our results also support the use of this tool in a standardized way, to under- stand the actual status of gilthead seabream from both wild and cultivated populations.