Development of microsatellite markers from Cercis chinensis (Fabaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Microsatellite markers were developed to characterize the level of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Cercis chinensis, a widely cultivated garden plant in China with congeneric species disjunctly distributed in East Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol, eight microsatellite markers were developed in C. chinensis. Seven of the markers displayed polymorphism, with the number of alleles ranging from one to four in four populations of C. chinensis. Four to six microsatellite loci exhibited interspecific transferability in C. glabra, C. chuniana, and C. chingii.

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first microsatellite markers developed for C. chinensis, which will be further used in investigation of population genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern of C. chinensis and its congeneric species.