Development of microsatellite markers for the dove tree, Davidia involucrata (Nyssaceae), a rare endemic from China

Abstract

Microsatellite primers were developed for the endangered Davidia involucrata to assess the population genetics and infer its evolutionary history. Using both the modified magnetic bead hybridization method and the dual-suppression PCR method, we isolated and characterized 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci using 134 individuals from five populations in southwestern China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 21 (mean = 10.8). The expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.404 to 0.918 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.015 to 0.821. All of the 12 microsatellite markers developed for D. involucrata are polymorphic, and lay a solid foundation for further studies of the population genetics of this famous tree.