Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Alpinia oxyphylla (Zingiberaceae)(1)

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for population genetic studies of Alpinia oxyphylla (Zingiberaceae), a perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plant often used medicinally in China. • Methods and Results: A total of 85 loci were identified using a magnetic bead enrichment method, of which 23 were polymorphic. The level of polymorphism was characterized in 32 individuals from two populations; the number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 13; and observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity varied from 0 to 1 (mean: 0.6441) and 0 to 0.887 (mean: 0.6241), respectively. • Conclusions: The polymorphic microsatellite markers generated from this study will be useful for genetic diversity and structure analysis of A. oxyphylla.