Development of microsatellite markers for Eurya acuminatissima (Theaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Sixteen microsatellite markers were developed to study the fine-scale spatial genetic structure of Eurya acuminatissima, a dioecious tree species of Theaceae endemic to southern China.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 30 primer pairs were initially designed and tested on the basis of the transcriptome data of E. acuminatissima, of which 16 were successfully amplified and showed clear polymorphism. For these microsatellites, one to 17 alleles per locus were identified. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 1.000 and 0 to 0.903, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The microsatellite markers described here can be used to study genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of E. acuminatissima. Furthermore, all loci were successfully cross-amplified in a related species, E. auriformis.