Development of microsatellite markers for Virola officinalis Warb. (Myristicaceae), an endemic tree of the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest by next generation sequencing technology

Abstract

We report the development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Virola officinalis, an endemic Brazilian Atlantic rain forest tree and important food resource for local wildlife. Seventy-two individuals were collected to characterize the 21 primers developed by next generation sequencing. Of the 21 primers studied, 15 were polymorphic. On average, the expected heterozygosity per population ranged from 0.64 to 0.73. The combined probability of exclusion was higher than 0.999, indicating that the microsatellite markers developed are suitable for genetic structure investigations and paternity testing. Our results will contribute to the design of efficient conservation strategies not only for this species, but for the Atlantic rain forest as a whole.