Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat markers for the invasive tetraploid waterweed <italic>Elodea nuttallii</italic> (Hydrocharitaceae).

Premise of the Study: To enhance the understanding of the recent invasion process of the clonal waterweed <italic>Elodea nuttallii</italic> (Hydrocharitaceae), analyses of population structure and genotypic diversity need to be undertaken, for which genetic markers are needed. Methods and Results: High‐throughput sequencing of DNA enriched for microsatellites was used to develop 24 loci that were characterized in <italic>E. nuttallii</italic>, 21 of which were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from two to 10. In two populations, expected heterozygosity ranged among loci between zero and 0.796. In the congener <italic>E. canadensis</italic>, all markers yielded PCR products, 19 of which were polymorphic, with two to nine alleles and expected heterozygosity ranging from zero to 0.690 in two populations. Conclusions: The markers described should be useful for future studies of population structure and clonal diversity of <italic>E. nuttallii</italic> as well as <italic>E. canadensis</italic> in their native and invasive range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]