PCR-RFLP markers detect 29 mitochondrial haplotypes in Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus)

We developed five polymerase chain reaction-based markers that detect variation in the mitochondrial genome of the Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus, across most of its range. Two gene fragments (ND2 and ND5) were amplified and digested with three and two restriction enzymes, respectively, detecting sequence variation at 18 sites (ND2 = 13; ND5 = 5) and yielding 29 composite haplotypes among 1246 lampreys. These sequence-based markers will be useful in a range of phylogeographical and population genetic studies.