Development and evaluation of microsatellite markers for the critically endangered birch Betula chichibuensis (Betulaceae).

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed and characterized for the critically endangered birch Betula chichibuensis (Betulaceae) to investigate the genetic structure of this species for conservation purposes. Methods and Results: Sixteen microsatellite markers with di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeat motifs were developed and optimized using MiSeq paired-end sequencing. Of these, 14 were polymorphic, with two to five alleles per locus, in 47 individuals from two newly discovered populations of B. chichibuensis in Japan. Observed and unbiased expected heterozygosities per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.617 and from 0.000 to 0.629, respectively. These markers were tested for cross-species amplification in B. maximowicziana, B. platyphylla var. japonica, and B. schmidtii. Conclusions: This set of microsatellite markers, the first developed for B. chichibuensis, will help elucidate spatial patterns of gene flow and levels of inbreeding in this species to aid its conservation.