Characterization of 31 microsatellite markers for Sinocalycanthus chinensis (Calycanthaceae), an endemic endangered species.

Premise of the study: Thirty-one microsatellite markers were developed for Sinocalycanthus chinensis (Calycanthaceae), an endemic endangered species in China. Methods and Results: Twenty-one polymorphic and 10 monomorphic microsatellite markers of S. chinensis were developed using methods of biotin-streptavidin capture and capillary electrophoresis. The number of alleles per locus was one to 20 with an average of 4.677 in 90 individuals taken from two populations in Zhejiang Province and one population in Anhui Province in China. Mean observed and expected heterozygosity across all three populations were 0.403 +/- 0.061 (0.033-1.000 per locus) and 0.510 +/- 0.043 (0.032-0.797 per locus), respectively. Of these 31 loci, 29 were successfully amplified in Calycanthus floridus. Conclusions: These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies of population genetic diversity and phylogeny of S. chinensis and C. floridus.