Comparison of microsatellite distribution in genomes of Centruroides exilicauda and Mesobuthus martensii

In this study, we characterized the distribution of microsatellites in the genomes and genes of Centruroides exilicauda and Mesobuthus martensii, carried out Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and GO enrichment analysis of coding sequences (CDSs) with microsatellite (SSR). In addition, over-represented GO functions related to environmental interactions, development process and methylation were identified to develop functional markers and facilitate further analysis of microsatellite function in the genes of scorpions. Location analysis indicated that microsatellites were predominantly concentrated at both ends of genes. Most genes containing microsatellite had the SSR present at only one locus, from which we infer that the number of SSRs per gene is limited even though intragenic tandem repeats can generate functional variability. Lastly, we identified 75 SSRs in 64 genes of 54 expanded gene families and 1 SSR in the toxin gene of Mesobuthus martensii, allowing future studies on the effect of microsatellites on gene function. •The distribution of microsatellites in the exons/introns of the scorpions C. exilicauda and M. martensii were analyzed.•Microsatellite enriched regions were found at the first and last exon/intron of genes.•Nearly half of genes in the same gene family (orthologs and paralogs) had similar SSR signatures.