Isolation and Characterization of 13 Microsatellite Loci from a Korean Endemic Species, <em>Sophora koreensis</em> (Fabaceae)

Abstract

To evaluate the population genetics structure as a means of devising conservation strategies, we developed microsatellite primers for <em>Sophora koreensis</em>, a narrowly endemic and endangered species in Korea. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed in Korean populations of <em>S. koreensis</em>. Genetic diversity was analyzed in 40 individuals from two populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 14, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.200 to 1.000 and from 0.189 to 0.864, respectively. The microsatellite markers described here are valuable tools for the population genetics research of <em>S. koreensis</em>. They can be used to obtain information for creating suitable management strategies to conserve this endemic and endangered species.

Keywords

• endemic species
• genetic diversity
• microsatellite
• &lt;em&gt;Sophora koreensis&lt;/em&gt;