DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION, AND TRANSFERABILITY OF MICROSATELLITE MARKERS FOR KIRENGESHOMA PALMATA (HYDRANGEACEAE)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for Kirengeshoma palmata to assess the population genetics and mating pattern of this critically endangered species. Methods and Results: A total of 24 microsatellite markers were developed for K. palmata using an enrichment protocol. These markers were screened in 37 individuals from four populations in China and Japan, and twelve were found to be polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to eight. All of these primers also amplified in K. koreana. Conclusions: These microsatellite markers provide a useful tool to investigate the mating system, gene flow, parentage, and population dynamics of Kirengeshoma.