Microsatellite marker development for the federally listed Prunus geniculata (Rosaceae)

Prunus geniculata is a federally listed species endemic to the central Florida scrub. To investigate levels and geographic partitioning of genetic variation in this species, we developed microsatellite markers for P. geniculata and its sister species, P. maritima.

Following a protocol optimized in our laboratory, we designed 36 primer pairs, of which 8 amplified across both species and showed informative polymorphism. Product size varied from 163 to 370 bp, and the number of alleles ranged from 5 to 27. He across all populations ranged from 0.604 to 0.9155.

Eight loci were useful at the population level and will be used for conservation genetic and phylogeographic studies of Prunus geniculata and P. maritima. Furthermore, from five to all eight of these loci can also be amplified in several other North American Prunus species.