title: Anonymous and EST-based microsatellite DNA markers that transfer broadly across the fig tree genus (Ficus, Moraceae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed a set of microsatellite markers for broad utility across the species-rich pantropical tree genus Ficus (fig trees). The markers were developed to study population structure, hybridization, and gene flow in neotropical species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed seven novel primer sets from expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries of F. citrifolia and F. popenoei (subgen. Urostigma sect. Americana) and optimized five previously developed anonymous loci for cross-species amplification. The markers were successfully tested on four species from the basal subgenus Pharmacosycea sect. Pharmacosycea (F. insipida, F. maxima, F. tonduzii, and F. yoponensis) and seven species of the derived subgenus Urostigma (F. citrifolia, F. colubrinae, F. costaricana, F. nymphaeifolia, F. obtusifolia, F. pertusa, and F. popenoei). The 12 markers amplified consistently and displayed polymorphism in all the species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This set of microsatellite markers is transferable across the phylogenetic breadth of Ficus, and should therefore be useful for studies of population structure and gene flow in approximately 750 fig species worldwide.
authors: Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Germany. katrin.heer@uni-ulm.de
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Heer
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Machado
authors: Anna G
authors: AG
authors: Himler
authors: Edward Allen
authors: EA
authors: Herre
authors: Elisabeth K V
authors: EK
authors: Kalko
authors: Christopher W
authors: CW
authors: Dick
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D030681:Ficus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D051456:Gene Flow; D015723:Gene Library; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006579:Heterozygote; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018744:DNA, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers