SOLATION OF COMPOUND MICROSATELLITE MARKERS FOR THE COMMON MEDITERRANEAN SHRUB SMILAX ASPERA (SMILACACEAE)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the common Mediterranean shrub Smilax aspera to study the population genetics of this species. Methods and Results: Using the compound microsatellite marker technique, a total of 14 pairs of primers were developed for S. aspera, of which 11 were polymorphic, and three were monomorphic. Levels of polymorphism in the 11 markers were checked in 43 individuals collected from two populations in Greece and Italy. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 10 to 26, with an average of 15.55 alleles per locus. All of these primers also could be amplified from a second species, S. hispida. Conclusions: These microsatellite markers can be used for future studies of genetic diversity in S. aspera, as well as in other related taxa, and will help us to improve our understanding of the microevolutionary processes of this species in the Mediterranean region.