Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers for the Solidago virgaurea complex (Asteraceae) in the Japanese archipelago(1)

• Premise of the study: We developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for the Solidago virgaurea complex, an ecologically and morphologically diverse species complex in the Japanese archipelago, to elucidate population genetic structure and examine taxonomic boundaries. • Methods and Results: Utilizing the RNA sequencing data obtained by next-generation sequencing techniques, 15 polymorphic EST-SSR markers with three to 14 alleles were developed, most of which were transferable to different Solidago species native to Eurasia and North America. • Conclusions: The EST-SSR markers developed in this study may be useful for elucidating the population structure and taxonomic delimitation of the species complex, as well as for investigating the population genetics and reproductive ecology of Solidago species.