Novel nuclear microsatellites in the endangered neotropical timber tree Lecythis ampla (Lecythidaceae)

For the first time, nuclear microsatellite (nSSRs) primers were developed in the endangered tree species Lecythis ampla (Lecythidaceae) as molecular tools. An enrichment protocol with genomic DNA libraries for nSSRs was used to identify candidate loci. A large number of candidate loci were identified. Consecutively population genetic parameters of these loci were tested in two available populations. Eventually 17 microsatellite loci have been identified that show no or only low evidence for linkage disequilibrium, deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations or high levels of null alleles. These markers are apt for future molecular population studies.