Development of microsatellite markers for the dwarf bamboo species Sasa cernua and Sasa kurilensis (Poaceae) in northern Japan

Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the dwarf bamboo species Sasa cernua and Sasa kurilensis. The applicability of these markers was confirmed by genotyping of open-pollinated seeds and leaf samples from natural populations. Genotypes of seeds from each culm shared at least one allele from the maternal parent without contradiction. All 10 loci were polymorphic in S. cernua with 2-15 alleles (average H_E = 0.532). Eight loci were polymorphic in S. kurilensis with 2-10 alleles (average H_E = 0.532). These markers will be useful in detailing the extent of clonal and sexual reproduction in these species.