Development of 17 novel microsatellite markers for Lycoris aurea and L. radiata (Amaryllidaceae) using next‐generation sequencing

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Lycoris is an ornamental and medicinal plant. We developed microsatellite markers for L. aurea and L. radiata simultaneously by using a hybrid between these two species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ion Torrent next‐generation sequencing produced 1,784,504 reads. Testing 64 primer sets allowed for the development of 17 novel microsatellite markers: 16 for L. aurea, 10 for L. radiata, and nine common markers. Lycoris aurea had one to 12 alleles per locus and observed and expected heterozygosity levels of 0–0.923 and 0.038–0.809, respectively. Lycoris radiata had three to 12 alleles per locus and observed and expected heterozygosity levels of 0–0.909 and 0.127–0.797, respectively. Ten markers were cross‐amplified for L. sprengeri. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid sequencing can facilitate the cost‐effective development of molecular markers for parental species. The markers developed here are useful for studying Lycoris population structure.