Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Ajuga taiwanensis Nakai ex Murata using PCR-based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA).

Ajuga taiwanensis is a valuable herb for traditional Chinese medical treatment. In this study, eight microsatellite loci from A. taiwanensis were isolated. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were screened in 15 samples of wild populations of A. taiwanensis, and nine samples from its sister A. bracteosa and A. nipponensis. In A. taiwanensis, the number of alleles ranged from 3 to 11, and values of expected (H(subscript E)) and observed (H(subscript O)) heterozygosity were 0.54253-0.90575 and 0.0000-1.0000, respectively. All loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations due to the heterozygote deficiency, indicating a dramatic loss of genetic polymorphisms in the restrictedly distributed species. The markers amplifying well in the three species are useful for examining genetic diversity and population genetic structure, and this can provide information for establishing a conservation strategy for these endangered species.