Development and cross-validation of microsatellite markers for Rauvolfia weddeliana Mull.Arg. (Apocynaceae) species complex

Abstract

Rauvolfia weddeliana is an endemic species restricted to plateau landscapes in South American savannahs. Rapid loss of habitat and expansion of agriculture in Central-West Brazil have critically reduced the original extent of savannahs, representing a major threat to its biotic diversity. Due to the discontinuous distribution of R. weddeliana and the vulnerability of its habitats, it is crucial to estimate the genetic diversity of remaining populations. The application of microsatellite markers is a useful approach with relative low cost and high informative potential for studies related to conservation genetics and population genetics. The development of specific libraries for endangered species may aid future studies about the connectivity of populations, reproductive biology, and genetic diversity. We developed microsatellite markers for R. weddeliana and tested the transferability of the markers to a closely related species, R. gracilis. Ten microsatellite markers were identified, and a set of primers for their amplification is presented. Most identified motifs were dimers, with lengths from 18 to 74 base pairs. Nine markers presented high informative potential (PIC > 0.5). The set of markers developed in this study will support further investigations in population genetics of R. weddeliana and possibility of closely related species.