Density and variability of dinucleotide microsatellites in the parthenogenetic polyploid snail Melanoides tuberculata.

Characterization of microsatellites in the parthenogenetic polyploid snail Melanoides tuberculata revealed an unusual high density of dinucleotide repeats. Multiple banding patterns were obtained at these loci, and interpreted as a consequence of polyploidy. Microsatellite variability was low within, but high between, shell morphotypes. Genotypes were wholly transmitted from mothers to offspring. These results suggest that reproduction is strictly apomictic, and that shell morphotypes are genetic clones.