Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for the trematode 'Curtuteria australis' (Echinostomatidae)

Abstract

Ten polymorphic loci were isolated and characterised from the intertidal New Zealand trematode 'Curtuteria australis'. This common parasite manipulates the burrowing behaviour of its abundant bivalve host 'Austrovenus stutchburyi', with cascading impacts on the biodiversity of intertidal communities. Observed heterozygosities of the 10 loci ranged from 0.500 to 0.905, and three to 14 alleles were detected in 24 trematode metacercariae. These loci are currently being used to investigate the molecular ecology of this species within its intermediate hosts.