Isolation and characterization of nuclear microsatellite primers for the Barbary thuja, Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. (Cupressaceae)

Abstract

Fifty nuclear microsatellite primers were initially developed using next-generation sequencing (454) data from a single individual of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. Eleven primers were finally applied in 30 individuals from 3 localities from Morocco, Algeria and Spain. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to ten. The average observed and expected heterozygosities across the populations studied ranged from 0.10 to 0.80 and from 0.09 to 0.88, respectively. The microsatellite markers described here are valuable tools for the population genetic research of T. articulata, and can be used to obtain information for creating suitable management strategies to conserve this endemic and endangered species.