Characterisation of microsatellite markers for the granite endemic Kunzea pulchella (Lindl.) A. S. George (Myrtaceae) identified using next generation sequencing

Abstract

A set of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Kunzea pulchella, a plant species endemic to granite outcrops in Western Australia. Genomic sequences were obtained from next generation (454) sequencing. A total of 20 microsatellite markers were then chosen for amplification and genotyping trials in individuals across the species range. Eleven of these loci were selected for analysis based on amplification and genotyping success. All were polymorphic with 4–10 alleles per locus (mean = 5.9). Expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.29 to 0.92 averaging 0.606 and 0.690 respectively. Loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05) except for two which showed evidence for null alleles. Linkage disequilibrium was evident in three loci pair combinations. These polymorphic microsatellite markers will be valuable for analysis of population genetic structure and connectivity in K. pulchella.