Identification and development of microsatellite markers in Hamamelis mollis (Hamamelidaceae).

Premise of the Study: Hamamelis mollis (Hamamelidaceae) is a Tertiary relict species endemic to southern China. Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to reveal the genetic diversity of this species.

Methods and Results: The genome of H. mollis was sequenced and de novo assembled into 642,351 contigs. A total of 72,097 paired primers were successfully designed from 80,282 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers identified in 63,419 contigs. PCR amplification showed that 96 of the 136 synthesized primers could be successfully amplified, and 22 demonstrated polymorphism. The mean number of alleles, levels of observed heterozygosity, and levels of expected heterozygosity were 4.602 ± 0.140, 0.632 ± 0.020, and 0.696 ± 0.010, respectively. The majority of the 96 primer pairs could be amplified in at least one other Hamamelidaceae species, including Distylium myricoides (60), Loropetalum chinense (39), Exbucklandia populnea (24), and E. tonkinensis (24).

Conclusions: These microsatellite loci provide abundant genomic SSR markers to evaluate genetic diversity of this woody ornamental plant.