Transferability and characterization of simple sequence repeat markers from Anacardium occidentale to A. humile (Anacardiaceae).

Abstract

Use of molecular markers can be limited by the high cost and extensive time required for their development. Transfer of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers reduces the cost and time limitations and has allowed the use of these markers in a larger number of species. We tested 11 SSR markers previously developed for Anacardium occidentale on A. humile. The 11 loci were successfully amplified in A. humile. All loci were polymorphic and generated a mean of 5.4 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity was lower than the expected heterozygosity under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for most loci, with mean values of 0.463 and 0.696, respectively. The endogamy coefficients were positive and significant for seven loci. However, the combined probability of paternity exclusion was high, and the combined probability of genetic identity was low. None of the pairs of loci were in linkage disequilibrium. The informative power of these loci demonstrates that they are suitable for studies of diversity and genetic structure of natural populations of A. humile. In addition, the loci are suitable for estimating gene flow between populations, assessing species crossing preferences, and performing interspecific comparisons.