Characterization of 87 EST-SNP markers in hard clam Meretrix meretrix using high-resolution melting analysis

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a significant role in genetic studies as the third-generation molecular markers. The availability of high-throughput transcriptome sequencing has made possible the rapid and efficient development of SNP markers. Here, a total of 87 SNP loci were identified using high-resolution melting analysis based on the Meretrix meretrix transcriptome. Genetic diversity analysis of these loci showed that the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.0000 to 0.7667 and 0.1831 to 0.5079, respectively, while the minor allele frequency varied from 0.1000 to 0.5000. Thirty-five SNP loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ( P < 0.05). This study provides a valuable resource of potential molecular markers for genetic diversity analysis and molecular breeding of M. meretrix .