Microsatellite primers for the endangered aquatic herb, Ottelia acuminata (Hydrocharitaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Microsatellite primers were developed in the endangered aquatic herb, Ottelia acuminata, to characterize its genetic diversity and understand its population structure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed from two populations of O. acuminata in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 15; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.885 and from 0 to 0.888, respectively, in the two populations. Selected loci also amplified successfully in O. sinensis.

CONCLUSIONS

These microsatellite markers will facilitate further studies on the conservation genetics and evolutionary history of O. acuminata.