Characterization of 19 microsatellite loci in the clonal monkshood Aconitum kusnezoffii (Ranunculaceae)(1)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Aconitum kusnezoffii (Ranunculaceae) to estimate male and female reproductive success and evaluate the effects of clonal growth on sexual reproduction. METHODS AND RESULTS: A genomic enrichment approach was used to develop microsatellite markers. In three investigated A. kusnezoffii populations, a total of 19 microsatellite loci were successfully amplified, and 13 of these loci were polymorphic. Most of the primer pairs designed for the identified loci also amplified corresponding microsatellite loci in A. barbatum var. puberulum and A. alboviolaceum. CONCLUSIONS: The identified microsatellite loci will be useful for quantifying male and female fitness in A. kusnezoffii and evaluating the effects of clonal growth on sexual reproduction.