Development and characterization of microsatellites in Torreya jackii (Taxaceae), an endangered species in China

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed in Torreya jackii, an endangered species in China, to provide markers for further studies on the genetic diversity of this species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight polymorphic loci and one monomorphic locus were developed and characterized in four T. jackii populations (Xianju, Songyang, Pujiang, and Tonglu) from Zhejiang Province, China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to eight across 80 T. jackii individuals. At the eight polymorphic loci, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.150 to 1.000 and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.185 to 0.796. CONCLUSIONS: The microsatellite loci developed and characterized in this study will facilitate future analyses of the genetic diversity of T. jackii. Such information will aid in designing strategies to conserve this currently endangered species.