Microsatellite markers for Aspidosperma polyneuron (Apocynaceae), an endangered tropical tree species

 Premise of the study : This study was designed to develop and characterize a preliminary set of nuclear microsatellite markers for Aspidosperma polyneuron , an endangered tropical tree species.  Methods and Results : Leaf samples were collected from a group of mature A. polyneuron trees in a large area along the Pardo and Mogi-Gua c u river basins in S a o Paulo State in the southeastern region of Brazil. Twenty-fi ve simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed and 16 of 30 samples had polymorphic loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 17 (average = 7.06). A high diversity ( H e = 0.65) and parentage exclusion probability for the fi rst (0.9995) and second (0.9999) parents were measured.  Conclusions : These 16 polymorphic markers suggest a high potential for genetic diversity, gene fl ow, and mating system analyses in A. polyneuron .