Characterization of Nuclear Microsatellite Markers for Rumex bucephalophorus (Polygonaceae) Using 454 Sequencing

Abstract

Premise of the study: Nuclear microsatellite markers were developed in Rumex bucephalophorus subsp. canariensis (Polygonaceae) to investigate its genetic diversity and structure. Methods and Results: Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were obtained using 454 next-generation sequencing with di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeats. The average number of alleles was 5.688 and 3.813 for R. bucephalophorus subsp. canariensis var. canariensis and var. fruticescens, respectively. Slightly higher levels of mean genetic diversity were found in var. canariensis (expected heterozygosity = 0.600) than in var. fruticescens (expected heterozygosity = 0.514). Cross-amplifications in related taxa within R. bucephalophorus showed good amplification and polymorphic patterns. Conclusions: These 16 novel nuclear microsatellite markers are the first in the genus Rumex and may serve as valuable tools to carry out studies on genetic diversity and structure as well as progeny studies.