Development and characterization of 23 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Amentotaxus argotaenia (Taxaceae), a relict vulnerable species

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: New microsatellite markers were developed for the vulnerable conifer species Amentotaxus argotaenia (Taxaceae) to investigate population genetic variation and the effects of environmental heterogeneity on genetic structure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 27 microsatellite loci were developed from A. argotaenia through a Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol, of which 23 were polymorphic. These markers yielded 1–13 alleles and 1.0–7.9 effective alleles per locus; levels of observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.000–1.000 and 0.000–0.873, respectively. In total, 18 of the markers were transferable to the related species A. yunnanensis. CONCLUSIONS: These polymorphic markers are a valuable genetic resource for investigating population genetic variation and the potential for local adaptation in A. argotaenia.