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Data from: Rise of the machines – recommendations for ecologists when using next generation sequencing for microsatellite development.

Cite this dataset

Gardner, Michael G; Fitch, Alison J; Bertozzi, Terry; Lowe, Andrew J (2011). Data from: Rise of the machines – recommendations for ecologists when using next generation sequencing for microsatellite development. [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.f1cb2

Abstract

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is revolutionizing molecular ecology by simplifying the development of molecular genetic markers, including microsatellites. Here we summarize the results of the large scale development of microsatellites for 54 non-model species using NGS and show there are clear differences amongst plants, invertebrates and vertebrates for the number and proportion of motif types recovered that are able to be utilised as markers. We highlight that the heterogeneity within each group is very large. Despite this variation, we provide an indication of what number of sequences and consequent proportion of a 454 run are required for the development of 40 designable, unique microsatellite loci for a typical molecular ecological study. Finally, to address the challenges of choosing loci from the vast array of microsatellite loci typically available from partial genome runs (average for this study, 2341 loci), we provide a microsatellite development flowchart as a procedural guide for application once the results of a partial genome run are obtained.

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