Microsatellite primers for Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia (Onagraceae) and cross-amplification in related species

Premise of the study: We developed 24 nuclear microsatellite primers from an enriched genomic library for the Pacific coastal dune endemic Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia to study the consequences of mating system differentiation, the genetics of species' range limits, and hybridization with its closest sister taxon, C. bistorta. Methods and Results: Twenty-four primer pairs were developed and characterized in four populations of C. cheiranthifolia and one population of C. bistorta. We also tested eight additional taxa for cross-amplification. The average number of alleles per locus per species was 4.3 and 6.0, respectively. The number of loci that amplified and were variable within the eight related taxa ranged from six to 17. Conclusions: These markers will be useful in studying mating system evolution, the genetic structure of species' ranges, hybridization, and the provenance of material used for habitat restoration in C. cheiranthifolia, C. bistorta, and related species.