Cost effective microsatellite isolation and genotyping by high throughput sequencing

High throughput sequencing (HTS) has emerged as a valuable tool for the rapid isolation of genetic markers for population genetics and pedigree analysis. HTS-based SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) genotyping protocols like RAD (Restriction-site associated DNA) sequencing or hybrid capture, allow for the isolation of thousands of markers from any non-model organism. However, these protocols are relatively laborious and expensive and the resulting high marker density is not always necessary. Since HTS technology has also greatly simplified the isolation and genotyping process of microsatellite markers, we develop microsatellite markers as a cost efficient and simple alternative to SNP genotyping. We present low coverage genome sequencing data from seven distantly related spider species (Argiope bruennichi, Larinia jeskovi, Oedothorax restusus, Pisaura mirabilis, Australomisidia ergandros, Cheiracanthium punctorium, Theridion grallator) and show the utility of HTS for microsatellite isolation. We also present a simple Illumina amplicon sequencing protocol to genotype microsatellites from multiplex PCR amplicons in the Hawaiian happy face spider T. grallator. We discuss advantages and drawbacks of the use of microsatellites for a range of research questions, and highlight an unexpectedly fast decay and gain of repeat loci for T. grallator.