Development of EST-SSRs from the Alpine Lady-fern, Athyrium distentifolium.

Authors :: Woodhead, M.
Russell, J.
Squirrell, J.
Hollingsworth, P. M.
Cardle, L.
Ramsay, L.
Gibby, M.
Powell, W.
Source :: Molecular Ecology Notes; 2003, Vol. 3 Issue 2, p287-290, 4p
Publication Year :: 2003
Abstract: The utility of EST-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) was evaluated in the fern Athyrium distentifolium. From 1152 frond cDNA clones, 165 microsatellites, including di-, tri-, tetra and penta-nucleotide repeat motifs, were identified. Primer design was possible for 74 of the SSRs; subsequent screening of 10 loci on 186 individuals from six natural populations revealed between two and seven alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity ( H<subscript>E</subscript>) estimates ranging from 0.027 to 0.809. Eight of these loci were further examined for cross-species and cross-generic amplification in other Woodsiaceae species, and polymorphic products were detected. EST-derived SSRs provide robust, informative and potentially transferable polymorphic markers suitable for biodiversity research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]