Sophora microphylla (Fabaceae) microsatellite markers and their utility across the genus.

Abstract

• Premise of the study: Genus-specific microsatellite markers were developed for Sophora for population genetic and systematic studies of the group in New Zealand, and potentially elsewhere in the geographic range.• Methods and Results: From sequencing a total genomic DNA library (using Roche 454), we identified and developed 29 polymorphic microsatellite markers for S. microphylla and S. chathamica. We tested 12 of these markers on 14 S. chathamica individuals and four S. microphylla populations. All loci amplified in both species and species-specific alleles occurred at seven loci. In S. microphylla populations, the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000–0.960 and 0.000–0.908, respectively, with alleles per locus ranging from seven to 23.• Conclusions: The developed markers will be valuable in studies of phylogenetics, population structure, mating system, and selection of provenances for restoration projects.