Microsatellite markers for population studies of the salt marsh speciesJuncus roemerianus(Juncaceae).
OBJECTIVE
Juncus roemerianus(Juncaceae) is a foundational species and ecosystem engineer of salt marshes in the Gulf of Mexico. These ecosystems provide coastal flood attenuation, nurseries for important species, and other ecosystem services, but are experiencing significant decline. Nuclear microsatellite markers were developed forJ. roemerianusto study genetic diversity and population structure for conservation and restoration efforts.


RESULTS
Illumina NextSeq high-throughput sequencing was used to develop a panel of 19 polymorphic microsatellite markers that were tested across individuals from three populations on the Gulf Coast. All markers were polymorphic, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.212 to 0.828 and from 0.362 to 0.873, respectively. Allelic richness ranged from two to 13 alleles per locus with an average of 5.737.


CONCLUSIONS
The 19 microsatellite markers are useful for population studies throughout the range ofJ. roemerianus. Three loci cross-amplified in the related taxonJ. effusus.
Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30605 USA.
Hayley R
HR
Tumas
Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30605 USA.
Brian M
BM
Shamblin
Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, Mississippi 39564 USA; Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, Mississippi 39532 USA.
Mark S
MS
Woodrey
Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30605 USA.
Campbell J
CJ
Nairn
Juncaceae; Juncus effusus; Juncus roemerianus; ecosystem engineer