title: Development of 16 microsatellite markers within the Camassia (Agavaceae) species complex and amplification in related taxa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The North American genus Camassia is an ecologically important group whose variability and evolution are little understood, being influenced by hybridization and geographic isolation. We developed microsatellite markers to investigate patterns of gene flow, population structure, and taxonomic relationships within this group. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a traditional approach with biotin-labeled probes, we developed 16 microsatellite primers in three species of Camassia: C. howellii, C. leichtlinii, and C. quamash. The number of alleles per locus averaged 3.94 per species, and levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.00 and 0.033 to 0.917 for observed and expected heterozygosities, respectively. All primers amplified to varying extents in additional species (C. angusta, C. cusickii, C. scilloides) and in putative species in a related genus (Hastingsia alba, H. atropurpurea, H. bracteosa, H. serpentinicola). •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These microsatellite markers exhibit variation and are useful for ongoing studies of integrative taxonomy and population differentiation within this species complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006 USA.
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Culley
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 USA.
authors.forename: Ju-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Leng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 USA.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kephart
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006 USA.
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Cartieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Theiss
keywords: Agavaceae; Camassia; Hastingsia; camas; integrative taxonomy; microsatellite