Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Camellia chekiangoleosa (Theaceae) using 454-ESTs

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: A set of microsatellite markers for Camellia chekiangoleosa was developed and characterized using 454 sequencing technology to study the population genetic structure and the diversity of germplasm collections. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were identified and tested in 150 individuals from three natural populations of C. chekiangoleosa. Alleles numbered from two to seven, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.100 to 0.760 and 0.133 to 0.809, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These markers will potentially be conducive to further genetic studies on C. chekiangoleosa.