Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in a polyploid alpine herb, Callianthemum miyabeanum (Ranunculaceae)

Premise of the study: Nuclear microsatellite primers were developed to analyze the clonal diversity and population genetic structure of the endemic polyploid herb Callianthemum miyabeanum. Methods and Results: Using a protocol for constructing microsatellite-enriched libraries, 15 primer sets were developed for use in C. miyabeanum. The number of alleles found ranged from five to 22. The estimated range of expected heterozygosities was 0.574 to 0.907, and the Shannon-Weiner diversity index ranged from 1.061 to 2.733. Cross-amplification of all loci was also successful in the closely related endemic species C. kirigishiense and C. hondoense. Conclusions: The development of these microsatellite loci will facilitate a deeper understanding of the genetic diversity, mode of reproduction, and population structure of not only C. miyabeanum, but also the other Callianthemum species endemic to Japan.