SNP discovery in the northern dragonhead Dracocephalum ruyschiana

Abstract

The northern dragonhead Dracocephalum ruyschiana is a plant species experiencing a dramatic population decline that has led to the species being listed on Red Lists for species in many European countries. Here we used restriction-site associated DNA sequencing to isolate and characterize a panel of 96 novel SNP markers from 44 individuals encompassing most of the species range in Norway. The 96 SNPs were adapted for the Fluidigm platform and evaluated by screening another 24 northern dragonheads from a population in southern Norway. The panel of SNP markers developed here are expected to be useful for elucidating genetic diversity and population genetic structure in the northern dragonhead.