Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from Clematoclethra scandens (Actinidiaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite makers were developed for Clematoclethra scandens to investigate its population genetics and speciation. ? Methods and Results: A total of 36 microsatellite markers were isolated using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) method. Their polymorphisms were assessed in two natural populations. The results showed that 30 markers displayed prominent polymorphisms and six markers were monomorphic. ? Conclusions: These microsatellite loci will facilitate further studies on population genetics and speciation of C. scandens.     

Microsatellite primers for the endangered aquatic herb, Ottelia acuminata (Hydrocharitaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in the endangered aquatic herb, Ottelia acuminata, to characterize its genetic diversity and understand its population structure. ? Methods and Results: Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed from two populations of O. acuminata in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 15; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.885 and from 0 to 0.888, respectively, in the two populations. Selected loci also amplified successfully in O. sinensis. ? Conclusions: These microsatellite markers will facilitate further studies on the conservation genetics and evolutionary history of O. acuminata.     

Development of microsatellite markers in Fosterella rusbyi (Bromeliaceae) using 454 pyrosequencing

? Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Fosterella rusbyi (Bromeliaceae) to evaluate the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of natural populations of F. rusbyi and other Fosterella species in Bolivia. ? Methods and Results: 454 pyrosequencing technology was used to generate 73027 sequence reads from F. rusbyi DNA, which together contained 2796 perfect simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Primer pairs were designed for 30 loci, of which 15 were used to genotype 30 F. rusbyi plants from two geographical areas in Bolivia. All markers were polymorphic, with two to nine alleles in the overall sample. Cross-species amplification was tested in 10 additional Fosterella species. Seven loci showed consistent amplification in six or more species. ? Conclusions: The 15 SSR markers developed for F. rusbyi are promising candidates for population genetic analyses within F. rusbyi and other species of Fosterella.     

草河口林场红松人工林遗传多样性的ISSR分析

应用ISSR分子标记技术对本溪草河口林场的红松（Pinus koraiensis）人工林两个种群的60个个体进行遗传多样性分析。14个ISSR引物共检测到90个位点,其中多态位点65个,多态位点比率0.722 2。Nei指数统计结果表明,红松人工林的遗传多样性喜鹊沟种群（0.278 9）大于烈士墓种群（0.271 2）,Shannon指数统计结果与Nei指数相同。研究证实草河口林场红松人工林保存了较多的遗传多样性。     

Microsatellite markers for Duperrea pavettifolia (Rubiaceae)

? Premise of the study: The development of microsatellite primers for Duperrea pavettifolia will be the foundation for mating system analysis and conservation research. ? Methods and Results: Nineteen microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in two wild populations by using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 24 individuals from two natural populations. Eleven of these primers generated polymorphic loci. ? Conclusions: These microsatellite markers will be useful in future investigations into the population genetics and mating system of D. pavettifolia.     

Isolation and characterization of 50 nuclear microsatellite markers for Cathaya argyrophylla, a Chinese endemic conifer

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the endangered Cathaya argyrophylla (Pinaceae) to investigate its genetic diversity and population genetic structure, as well as its evolutionary history. ? Methods and Results: Fifty dinucleotide microsatellite loci were identified in two populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 6, with a mean of 2.84. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.889 and from 0 to 0.779, respectively. ? Conclusions: These markers will facilitate further studies on the population genetics and evolutionary history of Cathaya argyrophylla.     

Development of microsatellite loci for the invasive weed Wedelia trilobata (Asteraceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed to help elucidate the population genetics of the invasive species Wedelia trilobata. ? Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining (FIASCO) repeats protocol, 23 sets of primers for amplifying microsatellite loci were identified in W. trilobata, 10 of which showed polymorphism (two to five alleles per locus) in samples of two populations of W. trilobata, one from China and one from Peru. Six of these loci were successfully amplified from samples of the native congener W. chinensis, with expected sizes. ? Conclusions: These markers may be useful for further investigation of population genetics of Wedelia trilobata and other congener species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Plathymenia reticulata (Fabaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for use in population genetic studies of Plathymenia reticulata (Fabaceae), a tropical tree widespread in the Atlantic Forest and cerrado biomes of South America. ? Methods and Results: Nine microsatellite markers were developed using a simple sequence repeat-enriched library. Polymorphism was analyzed in 51 individuals from two populations. All loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles per loci ranging from five to 15 (mean number of alleles: 10.22). Observed and expected heterozygosities per loci and population ranged from 0.313 to 1.000 and 0.280 to 0.869, respectively. ? Conclusions: These highly informative loci are potentially useful to estimate population genetic structure and to understand evolutionary processes and taxonomy of the species.     

Development of microsatellite markers for Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordycipitaceae) Using an ISSR-TAIL-PCR method

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Ophiocordyceps sinensis, an endangered medicinal fungus endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, to investigate its genetic diversity and population structure. ? Methods and Results: An inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL)-PCR method was established to develop microsatellite markers. A total of 30 perfect and imperfect microsatellites were identified in 48 individuals of O. sinensis from five provinces within China representing different populations. Seventeen loci were polymorphic with two to four alleles per locus, while 13 were monomorphic. ? Conclusions: The results indicate that the microsatellite markers developed here may be used in studies of population genetics and conservation biology of O. sinensis. Furthermore, the ISSR-TAIL-PCR method is a simple strategy for microsatellite marker development.     

Microsatellite markers for population studies of Phytophthora megakarya (Pythiaceae), a cacao pathogen in Africa

? Premise of the study: Phytophthora megakarya is the agent of black pod disease of cacao and is the main pathogen of this crop in Africa. Population genetic studies are required to investigate how this pathogen emerged. To this end, we developed 12 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for P. megakarya. ? Methods and Results: Microsatellite sequences were obtained by pyrosequencing of multiplex-enriched libraries. Candidate loci with di- or trinucleotide motifs were selected, and primer pairs were tested with nine P. megakarya isolates. The 12 most polymorphic and unambiguous loci were selected to develop three multiplex PCR pools. The total number of alleles varied from two to nine, depending on loci, and higher than expected heterozygosity was observed. ? Conclusions: These markers were used for population genetic studies of P. megakarya in Cameroon and for comparison with reference strains from West Africa. This is the first time that microsatellite markers have been developed for P. megakarya.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the neotropical tree species Dipteryx alata (Fabaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the population genetic analyses of the neotropical tree Dipteryx alata (Fabaceae). ? Methods and Results: Microsatellites were developed from a genomic shotgun library. Polymorphism at each microsatellite loci was analyzed based on 94 individuals from three populations. Eight loci amplified successfully and presented one to 10 alleles, and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.097 to 0.862. Four loci also amplified in Pterodon emarginatus and presented similar polymorphism. ? Conclusion: The eight microsatellite primer pairs are potentially suitable for population genetic studies and successfully amplified in another Fabaceae species.     

Microsatellite markers from Ceanothus roderickii (Rhamnaceae) using next-generation sequencing technology

? Premise of the study: Ceanothus roderickii is an endangered shrub endemic to California. To investigate the population genetics of this species, including the genetic consequences of population fragmentation and hybridization, 10 microsatellite markers were developed. ? Methods and Results: Using next-generation sequencing (454) data from a single C. roderickii individual, 10 microsatellite markers were developed. A group of 12 individuals representing all of the major C. roderickii populations were analyzed. All loci were found to be polymorphic, with a range from two to 12 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.08 to 0.83 across loci. All 10 loci were also amplifiable in at least one other Ceanothus species. ? Conclusions: Results presented here indicate the utility of our new microsatellite primers in ongoing and future studies concerning population genetics and gene flow in C. roderickii, as well as the potential applicability of these primers in similar studies on other Ceanothus species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for a worldwide invasive weed, Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae)

? PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for a worldwide invasive weed Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) to elucidate the population genetic structure and invasive history. ? MetHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 14 microsatellite primer pairs were developed using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol, and their polymorphism was assessed in two natural populations of C. odorata from Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. Eleven loci showed polymorphism and eight of these loci were successfully amplified in Ageratina adenophora, another invasive weed related to C. odorata. ? CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite markers are useful for investigating the population genetic structure and the history of range expansion of these invasive species.     

New microsatellite loci for Narcissus papyraceus (Amarillydaceae) and cross-amplification in other congeneric species

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci from a genomic library of the species Narcissus papyraceus were optimized and characterized for studies of population genetics. ? Methods and Results: Eleven markers that were successfully amplified showed polymorphism when tested on 50 individuals from two populations in southern Spain and northern Morocco. Overall, the number of alleles per locus ranged between 4 and 15. Between 8 and 11 loci successfully amplified in other eight Narcissus species. ? Conclusions: These markers will enable genetic diversity studies of N. papyraceus across its distribution range and conduct paternity analyses among individuals differing in flower morphology.     

Microsatellite markers for the relictual dove tree, Davidia involucrata (Cornaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the dove tree, Davidia involucrata (Cornaceae), a Tertiary relict currently endemic to China, to investigate its population genetics and phylogeography. ? Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol, nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and screened in 44 individuals from three wild populations of D. involucrata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to three, while the observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0000 to 0.6000 and from 0.0000 to 0.6323, respectively. ? Conclusions: These new microsatellite loci will facilitate further studies of the population genetics and phylogeography of D. involucrata, as well as of the evolutionary history of the plant and other Tertiary relicts endemic to East Asia.     

Development of microsatellite markers from Cercis chinensis (Fabaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed to characterize the level of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Cercis chinensis, a widely cultivated garden plant in China with congeneric species disjunctly distributed in East Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean. ? Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol, eight microsatellite markers were developed in C. chinensis. Seven of the markers displayed polymorphism, with the number of alleles ranging from one to four in four populations of C. chinensis. Four to six microsatellite loci exhibited interspecific transferability in C. glabra, C. chuniana, and C. chingii. ? Conclusions: These are the first microsatellite markers developed for C. chinensis, which will be further used in investigation of population genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern of C. chinensis and its congeneric species.     

Polymorphic chloroplast microsatellite loci in Nelumbo (Nelumbonaceae)

? Premise of the study: To study population genetics, phylogeography, and hybridization of Nelumbo (Nelumbonaceae), chloroplast microsatellite markers were developed. ? Methods and Results: Seventeen microsatellite loci were identified from the chloroplast genomes of N. nucifera and N. lutea. Polymorphisms were assessed in three populations of N. nucifera and one population of N. lutea. Nine loci were found to be polymorphic in N. nucifera, and all 17 loci were found to be polymorphic in N. lutea. In N. nucifera, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six, and the unbiased haploid diversity per locus ranged from 0.198 to 0.790. In N. lutea, the number of alleles ranged from two to four, and the unbiased haploid diversity per locus ranged from 0.245 to 0.694. ? Conclusions: The identified chloroplast simple sequence repeat markers will be useful for the study of genetic diversity, phylogeography, and identification of Nelumbo cultivars.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the moss Ptychomitrium gardneri (Ptychomitriaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for Ptychomitrium gardneri to study population genetics of this eastern Asian-North American disjunct moss. ? Methods and Results: A total of 13 microsatellite markers were developed in Chinese populations of P. gardneri, using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining Repeats protocol. Eight of the markers showed polymorphism when assessed in a sample of four populations of 29 individuals from China. These markers amplified three to four alleles per locus. Five primers also amplified in P. linearifolium and P. wilsonii. ? Conclusions: These markers may be useful for further investigation of population genetics of P. gardneri.     

Nuclear microsatellite loci for Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicaceae), a model species to study plant adaptation to heavy metals

? Premise of the study: Arabidopsis halleri is a model species to study the adaptation of plants to soils contaminated by zinc, cadmium, and lead. To provide a neutral genetic background with which adaptive genetic markers could be compared, we developed highly polymorphic neutral microsatellite markers. ? Methods and Results: Using a microsatellite-enriched library method, we identified 120 microsatellite loci for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping analysis, of which eight primer pairs were developed in a single multiplex for population genetic studies. Analyses were performed on 508 individuals from 26 populations. All loci were polymorphic with six to 23 alleles per locus. Genetic diversity varied between 0.56 and 0.76. ? Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the value of these eight microsatellite markers to investigate neutral population genetic structure in A. halleri. To increase the resolution of population genetic analyses, we suggest adding them to the 11 markers previously developed independently.     

Gene Diversity and Genetic Differentiation in Natural Populations of Picea koraiensis

Vertical slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine inheritance of four isoenzymes in megagametophytes of Picea koraiensis. Gene diversity and genetic differentiation in four natural populations of P. koraiensis in Northeastern China were analyzed at six loci coding for four enzyme systems. The proportion of loci polymorphism in population was 0.5. The average expected heterozygosity of all samples was 0. 314, and the average observed heterozygosity of all samples was 0. 316. The average number of alleles detected per locus was 2.50. The effective number of alleles per locus was 1. 71. Measurement of gene diversity for the six loci showed a 0. 0059 significance of interpopulation differentiation. More than ninety-nine percent of the total gene diversity resided within population. The mean genetic distance over all pairs of P. koraiensis was 0. 0110.