Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers for the widespread Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

Abstract

Premise Microsatellite markers were developed for Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum, Ericaceae) to facilitate downstream genetic investigation of this species and the extremely closely related, circumboreal Rhododendron subsect. Ledum. Methods and Results Forty‐eight primer pairs were designed using Illumina data and screened for excellent amplification. Sixteen successful pairs were developed as microsatellite markers using fluorescently labeled amplification to generate chromatogram data. These data were evaluated for intrapopulation and interpopulation variability in three populations from Alaska and Maine, USA, and the Northwest Territories, Canada. Fourteen polymorphic markers genotyped reliably, each with one to eight alleles. Cluster analysis indicates that across the range, populations can be easily discriminated. Cross‐amplification in other Rhododendron subsect. Ledum species shows broad application of the developed markers within this small, well‐supported clade. Conclusions These microsatellite markers exhibit significant variability and will be useful in population genetics within R. groenlandicum and for investigation of species boundaries across Rhododendron subsect. Ledum.

Keywords

• Ericaceae
• Labrador tea
• Rhododendron groenlandicum
• Rhododendron subsect. Ledum
• species boundaries