Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for invasive wavyleaf basketgrass, Oplismenus undulatifolius (Poaceae)

Abstract

Premise of the Study: Novel nuclear microsatellite markers were developed for the invasive plant Oplismenus undulatifolius (Poaceae) to facilitate studies of invasion dynamics for this recently introduced, high-risk invasive species in North American mid-Atlantic forests. Methods and Results: Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from an Illumina paired-end shotgun library of O. undulatifolius after initial assessment of 48 loci. When screened in three populations, these markers identified two to six alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000. All loci were successfully amplified in the North American native congener O. hirtellus. Conclusions: We provide the first nuclear genetic resources available for population genetic studies within the genus Oplismenus. These markers will serve as a critical tool for exploring patterns of gene flow and mechanisms of invasion of O. undulatifolius across its introduced range. These microsatellites should also be suitable for studies in other Oplismenus species.