Development and characterization of 23 microsatellite loci for Rhododendron ovatum (Ericaceae)1

PREMISE OF THE STUDY To estimate the genetic variation of Rhododendron ovatum (Ericaceae), a monoecious evergreen shrub, 23 microsatellite markers were identified from its nuclear genome. METHODS AND RESULTS We developed 16 polymorphic and seven monomorphic microsatellite primers using the biotin-streptavidin capture method. The 16 polymorphic loci were investigated further using 89 individuals sampled from three populations in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 30, indicating a high level of polymorphism. The observed heterozygosity varied from 0.1034 to 0.9333, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1016 to 0.9542. Of these polymorphic primers, 12 were found to be functional in R. simsii, a congeneric species of R. ovatum. CONCLUSIONS Moderate to high levels of genetic variation were found in these microsatellite loci, indicating that they can be applied in future studies of Rhododendron genetic structure, contributing to forest management and conservation.