Development of 15 nuclear EST microsatellite markers for the paleoendemic conifer Pherosphaera hookeriana (Podocarpaceae)

Premise of the Study: Nuclear microsatellite markers were developed for population genetic analysis of the threatened paleoendemic conifer Pherosphaera hookeriana (Podocarpaceae).

Methods and Results: Fifteen variable loci were identified showing one to 13 alleles per population, with seven loci displaying at least four alleles in all populations, and the average number of alleles per locus ranging from 4.80 to 5.93 per population. Levels of observed heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.00 to 0.91, while average heterozygosity across all loci varied from 0.54 to 0.63 between populations. All loci also amplified in the endangered congener P. fitzgeraldii, but only five of the loci had more than one allele.

Conclusions: These 15 loci are the first microsatellite markers developed in the genus Pherosphaera. These loci will be useful for investigating the species' extant genetic diversity and structure, the impact of past environmental change, and the significance of asexual reproduction.