title: Microsatellite markers for the New Zealand endemic Myosotis pygmaea species group (Boraginaceae) amplify across species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Microsatellite loci were developed as polymorphic markers for the New Zealand endemic Myosotis pygmaea species group (Boraginaceae) for use in species delimitation and population and conservation genetic studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Illumina MiSeq sequencing was performed on genomic DNA from seedlings of M. drucei. From trimmed paired-end sequences >400 bp, 484 microsatellite loci were identified. Twelve of 48 microsatellite loci tested were found to be polymorphic and consistently scorable when screened on 53 individuals from four populations representing the geographic range of M. drucei. They also amplify in all other species in the M. pygmaea species group, i.e., M. antarctica, M. brevis, M. glauca, and M. pygmaea, as well as 18 other Myosotis species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers establish an important resource for research and conservation of the M. pygmaea species group and potentially other Southern Hemisphere Myosotis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand ; Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Cable Street, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Prebble
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.affiliation: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Cable Street, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Heidi M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Meudt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors.forename: V Vaughan
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Symonds
keywords: Boraginaceae; Myosotis; New Zealand; forget-me-nots; microsatellites; threatened species