Development of microsatellite loci for the endangered seagrass Zostera japonica (Zosteraceae)(1)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: New microsatellite markers were developed for the Asian endangered seagrass Zostera japonica (Zosteraceae) to assess genetic diversity and population structure of this species. In China, Z. japonica populations have drastically decreased since the 1970s. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 12 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in Z. japonica. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 11. The expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.772 and from 0 to 1.000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The new microsatellites will be useful in evaluating clonality and population structure of Z. japonica and aiding in conservation and management of the endangered seagrass in Asia.