Microsatellite DNA markers for the Sri Lankan rainforest tree species, <i>Shorea cordifolia</i> (Dipterocarpaceae), and cross‐species amplification in <i>S. megistophylla</i>

Abstract

Abstract We developed microsatellite primer pairs for the tropical tree species, Shorea cordifolia , of genus Shorea section Doona , an endemic and dominant group of Sri Lanka's rainforests. From an (AG) n ‐enriched library, 30 positive clones were screened, yielding 21 unique microsatellite loci. We used oligonucleotide primer pairs designed for 13 loci to screen genomic DNA from 90 adults. For seven polymorphic loci, the number of alleles and gene diversity per locus ranged from 4 to 18 and 0.36 to 0.90, respectively. Because all seven loci amplified easily in a close relative, S. megistophylla , we expect that these primers will be transferable to other Doona species.