Development of microsatellites markers for the deep coral Madracis myriaster (Pocilloporidae: Anthozoa)

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In 2013 Colombia made an important step towards the construction and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by establishing the first Deep Corals National Park (PNNCP). Inside this MPA, the coral <jats:italic>Madracis myriaster</jats:italic> (Cnidaria: Pocilloporidae) was found as the main reef builder, offering habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates. In order to improve the study of deep-sea coral habitats, their connectivity and prospective management, nine new genetic markers (microsatellites) were developed for <jats:italic>M. myriaster</jats:italic> and tested in samples from PNNCP. We present the assessment of these markers, with a specificity for the deep coral, and its prospective use in future analysis for the PNNCP and other areas in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, where <jats:italic>M. myriaster</jats:italic> is reported. We also include an additional taxonomic analysis performed on samples of <jats:italic>M. myriaster</jats:italic> using scanning electron microscopy.</jats:p>