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Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are valuable markers because they represent transcribed regions and often transferable to related taxa. Here, we report the development and characterization of EST–SSRs from Shorea leprosula. Fifty-four sequences containing SSRs were identified in 2003 unigenes assembled from 3159 ESTs. Twenty-four EST–SSRs were developed, of which four gave multiple amplifications, five were found to be monomorphic and 15 showed polymorphism, with allele numbers ranging from two to 17 in a single Pasoh Forest Reserve population of 24 individuals. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.05 to 0.91 and from 0.16 to 0.93, respectively. Cross-species transferability of the 15 loci to 36 species within Dipterocarpaceae revealed between four and 14 loci that gave positive amplification and 10 loci were found to be transferable to more than 15 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: Aggressive collections and trade activities in recent decades have resulted in heavy pressure on the natural stands of Aquilaria malaccensis and concerns over its long-term survival potential. To aid DNA profiling and assessment of its genetic diversity, microsatellite markers were developed for the species. Methods and Results: Seventeen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for A. malaccensis using an enrichment protocol. The markers were screened on 24 samples from a natural population. The number of alleles ranged from two to 11, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.042 to 0.957. No significant deviation from Hardy-einberg equilibrium was detected after conservative Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: This is the first report on the development of microsatellite markers in A. malaccensis. The markers will be used to establish a DNA profiling database and to estimate the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers of an important medicinal plant, Eurycoma longifolia (Simaroubaceae), were developed for DNA profiling and genetic diversity studies. • Methods and Results: Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for E. longifolia. The primers were designed from a genomic library enriched for dinucleotide (CT) repeats and screened on 32 samples from a natural population. The number of alleles detected per locus ranged from four to 16, while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.097 to 0.938. No significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected in all the 18 loci, and no linkage disequilibrium was found between these loci after conservative Bonferroni correction. • Conclusions: The 18 microsatellite markers of E. longifolia are highly polymorphic and informative. These markers would serve as an important tool for DNA profiling and genetic diversity studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]