Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the large-seeded tree Protorhus Deflexa (Anacardiaceae)

Premise of the study: Protorhus defl exa is an endemic large-seeded tree in Madagascar that depends heavily on insects for cross-pollination and on large-bodied frugivores for seed dispersal. Because such mutualistic relationships are vulnerable to human disturbance, the development of microsatellite markers will enhance analyses of gene fl ow in this tree species in degraded forests. Methods and Results: Nineteen microsatellite markers were developed for P. defl exa using 454 pyrosequencing. The number of alleles ranged from two to nine, and the ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.200-0.800 and 0.303- 0.821, respectively. The parentage exclusion probability by the 19 loci reached 0.98583 for the fi rst parent and 0.99971 for the second parent. Conclusions: These markers will be useful for studying gene fl ow via pollination and seed dispersal by animals and the genetic structure of P. defl exa in protected and degraded forests in Madagascar.