Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for Hibiscus aridicola (Malvaceae), an endangered plant endemic to the dry-hot valleys of Jinsha River in Southwest China.
Hibiscus aridicola (Malvaceae) is an endangered ornamental shrub endemic to the dry-hot valleys of Jinsha River in southwest China. Only four natural populations of H. aridicola exist in the wild according to our field investigation. It can be inferred that H. aridicola is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild and an urgent conservation strategy is required. By using a modified biotin-streptavidin capture method, a total of 40 microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in H. aridicola for the first time. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 39 individuals from four natural populations. Fifteen of the markers showed polymorphisms with two to six alleles per locus; the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.19 to 0.72. These microsatellite loci would be useful tools for population genetics studies on H. aridicola and other con-generic species which are important to the conservation and development of endangered species.
Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China; E-Mails:  zhangle@mail.kib.ac.cn  (L.Z.);  wang@mail.kib.ac.cn  (Z.W.);  guanky@mail.kib.ac.cn  (K.G.).
Le
L
Zhang
Weibang
W
Sun
Zhonglang
Z
Wang
Kaiyun
K
Guan
Junbo
J
Yang
D000483:Alleles; D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D056727:Endangered Species; D056426:Genetic Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D005828:Genetics, Population / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D018744:DNA, Plant