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Scutellaria austrotaiwanensis is a new species first described in 1997. It is a rare and endemic species in southern Taiwan. In this study, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Scutellaria austrotaiwanensis using a magnetic bead enrichment method. Several genetic indices, including observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), number of effective alleles (Ne), and polymorphism information content (PIC), were calculated. Deviation of heterozygosity was detected by the fixation index (Fis) and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was tested by possibilities (P HWE) using a chi-squared test. Allele numbers ranged from 4 to 8, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.611 to 1.000. Five microsatellite markers showed deficient heterozygosity by Fis > 0. No loci exhibited a departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, possibly due to a stable population. No loci pairs revealed significant linkage disequilibrium. The microsatellite markers reported here should be useful to evaluate the population structure of S. austrotaiwanensis for conservation efforts.

Miscanthus sinensis (Poaceae) is typical of many dominant grasses of East Asia. Due to its characteristics of fast growth and high biomass, Miscanthus, a C4 plant, has been long explored for the potential usage as biofuel. In this study, we described the development of nine microsatellite loci from M. sinensis for genetic studies. These new markers were tested in 25 individuals of five populations in three varieties. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 8. The expected (H E) and observed (H O) heterozygosities were 0.37–0.78 and 0.05–0.52, respectively. All microsatellite loci are significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations likely due to the population structure within samples. Linkage disequilibrium between four loci pairs were observed from the total 36 pairwise comparisons of loci. Cross-species transferability revealed that all loci can be applied to its closely related species, M. floridulus.

Background Gastrodia flabilabella is a mycoheterotrophic orchid that obtains carbohydrates and nutrients from its symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi. The species is an endemic and vulnerable species enlisted in the “A Preliminary Red List of Taiwanese Vascular Plants” according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version 3.1. G. flabilabella dwells the underground of broadleaf and coniferous forest with richness litter. Based on herbarium records, this species is distributed in central Taiwan. Twenty eight microsatellite loci were developed in G. flabilabella and were tested for cross-species amplification in additional taxa of G. confusoides, G. elata, and G. javanica. We estimated the genetic variation that is valuable for conservation management and the development of the molecular identification system for G. elata, a traditional Chinese medicine herb. Results Microsatellite primer sets were developed from G. flabilabella using the modified AFLP and magnetic bead enrichment method. In total, 257 microsatellite loci were obtained from a magnetic bead enrichment SSR library. Of the 28 microsatellite loci, 16 were polymorphic, in which the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 15, with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.02 to 1.00. In total, 15, 13, and 7 of the loci were found to be interspecifically amplifiable to G. confusoides, G. elata, and G. javanica, respectively. Conclusions Amplifiable and transferable microsatellite loci are potentially useful for future studies in investigating intraspecific genetic variation, reconstructing phylogeographic patterns among closely related species, and establishing the standard operating system of molecular identification in Gastrodia.

Background Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana (Pinaceae), Taiwan cow-tail fir, is an endangered species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and only two populations remain, both on the Taiwan Island. Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed in an endangered and endemic gymnosperm species, Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana, and were tested in an additional 6 taxa, K. davidiana var. calcarea, K. davidiana var. chienpeii, K. evelyniana, K. fortunei, K. fortunei var. cyclolepis, and K. pubescens, to evaluate the genetic variation available for conservation management and to reconstruct the phylogeographic patterns of this ancient lineage. Findings Polymorphic primer sets were developed from K. davidiana var. formosana using the modified AFLP and magnetic bead enrichment method. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 16, with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.28 to 1.00. All of the loci were found to be interspecifically amplifiable. Conclusions These polymorphic and transferable loci will be potentially useful for future studies that will focus on identifying distinct evolutionary units within species and establishing the phylogeographic patterns and the process of speciation among closely related species.

Betel nut (Areca nut, Areca catechu L.) is a conspicuous and important cultivated plant of tropical and subtropical habitats throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania. As a significant cultural and social offering, the migration of betel nut associated with human dispersal is an important issue in ethnobotany and anthropology. In this study, we described the development of nine microsatellite loci from A. catechu. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.71to 0.94 and from 0 to 0.88, respectively. All microsatellite loci, except for AC30, significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium possibly due to artificially selected cultivation or the existence of excessive null alleles. No linkage disequilibrium was observed from pairwise comparisons of loci, except for AC06 and AC08.

Ludwigia polycarpa is the only species of section Microcarpium occurring north of 37N in the central midwest of the United States. Recently, the loss of wetlands in North America reduced the population number and size of L. polycarpa dramatically. In this study, for the purpose of the conservation of the endangered species, we described eight microsatellite DNA loci. High variabilities enable these molecular markers to assess the population structure. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 23. The expected (HE) and observed (HO) heterozygosities ranged from 0.86 to 0.96 and 0.00 to 1.00, respectively. Seven of the eight microsatellite loci displayed significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations, likely due to the loss of habitats and the small population size. No linkage disequilibrium was observed in the pairwise com- parisons of loci. The application of these microsatellite loci in L. polycarpa may provide a tool for understanding its demography and population structure.

Suzukia shikikunensis Kudo is an endemic plant in Taiwan and suffers habitat destruction caused by human overexploitation. In this study, we developed 12 microsatellite primer pairs for genetic study. These markers were screened for 24 samples collected from wild populations distributed in Taiwan, and for a sister species S. luchuensis collected from Yonaguni and Lutao Islands. The number of alleles ranged from 5 to 14. The expected (H E) and observed (H O) heterozygosities were 0.65–0.922 and 0–0.625, respectively. All loci were significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium due to the heterozygote deficiency. These primers amplifying microsatellites in the two species may provide a useful tool for population genetics to establish conservation strategy.

Fatsia polycarpa Hayata (Araliaceae) is an element of evergreen forests at middle elevations in Taiwan, also representing the southern limitation in distribution of the genus. In this study, we described the development of 11 microsatellite loci from F. polycarpa in Taiwan for genetic studies. These new markers were tested in 20 individuals of 5 populations of the woody species. The number of alleles ranged from 9 to 18. The expected (H E ) and observed (H O ) heterozygosities were 0.80–0.95 and 0.10–0.75, respectively. Six of the 11 microsatellite loci are significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations likely due to the population structure within samples. No linkage disequilibrium were observed from pairwise comparisons of loci.

Taxus sumatrana (Miq.) de Laub. (Taxaceae) is an endangered conifer with a scattered distribution in central Taiwan. In this study, we described the development of 12 microsatellite loci in T. sumatrana for genetic studies. These new markers were tested in nine individuals of the rare species. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 13 and expected heterozygosity from 0.627 to 0.948. Eleven of twelve loci are significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations due to the heterozygote deficiency.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Fifteen microsatellite loci were developed in an endangered species, Amentotaxus formosana, and were tested in an additional three species, A. argotaenia, A. yunnanensis, and A. poilanei, to evaluate the population structure for conservation efforts and reconstruct the phylogeographic patterns of this ancient lineage. METHODS AND RESULTS Polymorphic primer sets were developed from A. formosana; the number of alleles ranged from two to 10, with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0 to 0.60. All of the loci were found to be interspecifically amplifiable. CONCLUSIONS These polymorphic and transferable loci will be potentially useful for future studies that will focus on identifying distinct genetic units within species and establishing the phylogeographic patterns and the process of speciation among closely related species.

 Premise of the study: Transferable polymorphic microsatellite loci for four skullcaps, Scutellaria indica , S. taiwanensis , S. austrotaiwanensis , and S. playfairii , were developed for future studies of the mating system and population structure of these species. Interspecifi c amplifi cation was also tested in various Scutellaria species.  Methods and Results: Twelve novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from four S. taiwanensis specimens, and seven are interspecifi cally transferable. Microsatellite loci developed from S. austrotaiwanensis in a previous study were also analyzed in the other three species, and 12 loci were found to be transferable. Allele numbers of the total 24 loci for S. indica , S. taiwanensis , S. playfairii , and S. austrotaiwanensis are two to four, two, two to fiand two to three, respectively, with an expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.114 – 0.661, 0.062 – 0.499, 0.280 – 0.730, and 0.268 – 0.662, respectively. The interspecies transferability of these 24 loci was further tested in another 10 Scutellaria species, including three species native to Taiwan. Seventeen loci were found to be interspecifi cally amplifi able, especially among the Taiwan native species.  Conclusions: These highly polymorphic and transferable loci will be useful for future studies of the mating system of closely related Scutellaria species.

 Premise of the study: Miscanthus , a nonfood plant with high potential as a biofuel, has been used in Europe and the United States. The selection of a cultivar with high biomass, photosynthetic effi ciency, and stress resistance from wild populations has become an important issue. New genic microsatellite markers will aid the assessment of genetic diversity for different strains.  Methods and Results: Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers derived from the transcriptome of Miscanthus sinensis fo. glaber were identifi ed and screened on 80 individuals of M. sinensis . The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 12, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.75. Cross-taxa transferability revealed that all loci can be applied to all varieties of M . sinensis , as well as the closely related species M. fl .  Conclusions: These new genic microsatellite markers are useful for characterizing different traits in breeding programs or to select genes useful for biofuel.