Development of 14 Microsatellite Markers in Odontites vernus s.l. (Orobanchaceae) and Cross-Amplification in Related Taxa

Abstract

[EN]

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the fi rst time in the root hemiparasite herb Odontites vernus (Orobanchaceae). These markers will be useful to investigate the role of polyploidization in the evolution of this diploid-tetraploid complex, as well as the extent of gene fl ow between different ploidy levels.

• Methods and Results: Fourteen polymorphic and reproducible loci were identifi ed and optimized from O. vernus using a microsatellite-enriched library and 454 Junior sequencing. The set of primers amplifi ed di- to pentanucleotide repeats and showed two to 13 alleles per locus. Transferability was tested in 30 taxa (19 belonging to Odontites and 11 from eight other genera of Orobanchaceae tribe Rhinantheae).

• Conclusions: The results indicate the utility of the newly developed microsatellites in O. vernus and several other species, which will be useful for taxon delimitation and conservation genetics studies.