Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the invasive plant Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae)

Solidago canadensis, a clonal herb originally from North America (common name: Canada goldenrod), is an invasive species in many countries. We developed microsatellite primers for this species. Eleven polymorphic loci were generated and primers were designed. Polymorphism of these 11 loci was assessed in 35 plants from two populations (Wuhan and Shanghai) in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 14. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0732 to 0.7391 and from 0.1177 to 0.8687, respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful tools for studies of population genetics in the native and invasive range of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci from Camellia sinensis in Taiwan using PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA)

We report 11 novel microsatellite primer pairs for the wild tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze forma formosensis Kitamura. These simple sequence repeat markers were tested in 24 samples collected from wild tea populations, and in cultivars and C. japonica. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to18. The expected (H _E) and observed (H _O) heterozygosity were 0.687–0.946 and 0.042–0.792, respectively. All loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg expectations due to the heterozygote deficiency, indicating a dramatic loss of genetic polymorphisms in the rare species. Significant LD was discovered in most loci. These primers may provide a tool for understanding demography and population structure in wild tea.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated from the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), using a partial genomic DNA library and an enrichment method. Fifty microsatellite repeats were screened from the library of 888 positive clones, 10 of which were polymorphic. These microsatellite loci developed here are another set of novel molecular markers for A. sinensis, and they will be suitable for population genetic studies as well as for kinship analysis.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Weigela coraeensis (Caprifoliaceae)

Weigela coraeensis var. coraeensis is a deciduous shrub species distributed in Japan on the mainland, Honshu, whereas its variety W. coraeensis var. fragrans is endemic to the Izu Islands located south of Honshu. We isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from the species and characterized these loci for 20 individuals from a population in Honshu. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 15 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.60 to 0.90 and from 0.65 to 0.90, respectively. These eight polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for examining intraspecific genetic differentiation in W. coraeensis.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Asparagus acutifolius (Liliaceae)

The isolation of molecular markers in Asparagus acutifolius, a wild edible plant species, is important to characterize local ecotypes that could be cultivated and preserved. We isolated and characterized polymorphic microsatellite loci from A. acutifolius by constructing and screening an enriched DNA library. Primer pairs were designed for 12 loci. Seven primer pairs worked well during amplification reactions and were tested on a wild population from Pontecagnano (SA), Italy. These loci showed a high level of genetic variability, with the numbers of alleles identified ranging from two to five and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.20 to 0.73.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Corydalis ambigua (Papaveraceae)

Primers for seven unlinked and highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Corydalis ambigua to investigate its mating system and population genetics. This species can be used to explore the impact of an alien bumblebee on plant reproduction. Genetic diversity and other population genetic parameters were estimated in two populations with and without the alien bumblebee. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 20, and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.355 to 0.969. These markers can be applied to study mating systems and population genetics in C. ambigua.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci from the endangered plant species Hypochaeris salzmanniana (Asteraceae)

We report the isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci for Hypochaeris salzmanniana, an endangered species endemic to the southwestern coast of Spain and the Atlantic coast of Morocco. A total of 32 alleles were detected across a sample of 45 individuals, with an average number of 4.0 alleles per locus. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.533 and the observed (H _O) and expected (H _E) heterozygosity values varied from 0.022 to 0.978 and from 0.434 to 0.759, respectively. Five loci exhibited significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P ≤ 0.001) and three pairs of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium (P ≤ 0.01). The eight loci were tested for transferability in three others species (H. arachnoidea, H. glabra, and H. radicata) belonging to the same section of H. salzmanniana. With the exception of locus Hsalz7, all loci successfully amplified in the three species. These preliminary data confirm the usefulness of microsatellite markers for assessing the ecology and genetic structure of H. salzmanniana and to understand the evolution of species within the section Hypochaeris.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Macadamia

Thirty‐three microsatellite loci were isolated for the Australian rainforest tree Macadamia integrifolia. Genotyping across a test panel of 43 commercial cultivars generated an average polymorphic information content of 0.480. Five loci showed no polymorphism across cultivars. Significant linkage disequilibrium was detected in 10 pairwise comparisons, including two pairs of loci identified from the same clone sequence. The 33 microsatellite loci represent a significant tool for genome mapping and population genetic studies.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci from Iris hexagona (Iridaceae)

Ten microsatellite loci isolated from Iris hexagona are described. All these loci are polymorphic, with three to 13 alleles across 24 individuals from a single natural population. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.125 to 0.870. Three loci depart significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in our test population. The test population shows significant heterozygote deficiency in these and two other loci. Three loci exhibit significant linkage disequilibrium. These loci will be utilized to investigate patterns of genetic variation in the species throughout the Florida peninsula.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa)

Nine yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa) microsatellite loci were isolated using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Three to eight alleles per locus were detected in 29 samples collected from five populations of E. bambusa. The mean number of alleles was 5.6 ± 1.9 and the level of observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.415 to 0.843. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from E. bambusa that can be used for estimating genetic diversity, population structure and parentage analysis.     

Isolation and characterization of 12 microsatellite loci from cutlassfish (Trichiurus haumela)

The cutlassfish (Trichiurus haumela) is an important commercial fish species. In the present study, we report 12 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for cutlassfish. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9 in a sample of 26 individuals. Observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.2727 to 0.9583 and from 0.4059 to 0.7926, respectively. Two loci (Trha25 and Trha27) showed significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni correction (P < 0.0042). No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for investigating genetic population structure, population history and conservation management of cutlassfish. Jin-Zhen Bi and Chang-Wei Shao contributed equally to this work.     

Isolation and characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci from Ceratopetalum apetalum (Cunoniaceae)

We identified 16 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci from an AG-enriched library of Ceratopetalum apetalum. These loci were tested across two populations of C. apetalum, a single population of C. gummiferum and representatives of four other congeneric taxa. Fourteen loci were identified as polymorphic in at least one other species. These microsatellites will be used to look at population dynamics of species with varying distributions and presumed low dispersal capabilities within the genus Ceratopetalum.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci from Phaedranassa tunguraguae (Amaryllidaceae)

Phaedranassa tunguraguae is an endangered species endemic to Ecuador. Eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library for this species. Levels of polymorphism were evaluated using a total of 31 individuals from a single natural population. An average of 14.1 alleles per locus was detected, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.387 to 0.903. All but one locus depart significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These loci are the first microsatellite primers isolated for Amaryllidaceae and will be utilized to investigate patterns of genetic variation of P. tunguraguae, which will contribute data relevant to the conservation of the species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Tetratheca ericifolia (Elaeocarpaceae)

We identified 11 informative microsatellite loci in Tetratheca ericifolia from an (AG)_n‐enriched library. Using these loci on 32 individuals from two populations (16 individuals from each), we detected an average of 11.3 alleles per locus (range of five to 21, average expected heterozygosity of 0.728), of which 56% were unique to one population or the other. All loci were amplifiable in seven to 12 of a further 12 species of Tetratheca under the same reaction conditions. The markers will be useful tools for evolutionary studies of this Australian endemic group.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Wilsonia backhousei (Convolvulaceae)

Wilsonia backhousei is a clonal saltmarsh plant restricted to the southern latitudes of Australasia and threatened in New South Wales. We have identified eight informative microsatellite loci in the species from (AG)_n‐ and (AC)_n‐enriched libraries. In 48 samples from two populations we detected an average of five alleles per locus (range 2–8, average H_E = 0.45), of which 72% were unique to one population or the other. Six of the eight loci were also amplifiable in Wilsonia rotundifolia under the same reaction conditions. The markers will be excellent tools for use in the management and conservation of both species.     

Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci from Carex macrocephala (Cyperaceae)

Carex macrocephala (Cyperaceae) is a species of great conservation concern along the northwest coast of North America. Using a biotinylated-streptavidin bead protocol, we successfully isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci from a C. macrocephala genomic library. Although these loci are polymorphic, the scored populations exhibit a significant deficiency in heterozygosity. Carex macrocephala is a self-pollinating rhizomatously spreading sedge, consequently this may contribute to the observed patterns.