Development of microsatellite markers for Astrotrichilia asterotricha (Meliaceae), an endemic tree in Madagascar, using next-generation sequencing technology

Astrotrichilia asterotricha is an endemic large-seeded tree in Madagascar, which depends on large-bodied frugivorous primates for seed dispersal. Because such primates are threatened by habitat destruction and hunting, seed dispersal and regeneration of A. asterotricha are vulnerable to human activities due to the loss of seed dispersers. We developed 19 microsatellite markers using next-generation sequencing technology. The number of alleles ranged from two to nine, and the ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.158-0.950 and 0.261-0.851, respectively. The cumulative probability of identity for all loci (excluding Ast01) was very low (8.6 × 10^-11), indicating that these markers can be used for individual discrimination. They will be useful for examining gene flow via seed dispersal by animals, as well as the regeneration dynamics of A. asterotricha, in Malagasy forests.