Novel microsatellite markers for Dalechampia scandens (Euphorbiaceae) and closely related taxa: application to studying a species complex

We developed novel microsatellite markers for Dalechampia scandens L. (Euphorbiaceae). The target plants belong to a distinct, but undescribed, species in the D. scandens species complex, characterized by small resin-producing glands. In total, 110 alleles over 36 novel markers were identified across 39 individuals from three populations. The number of alleles varied from one to seven, with an average of 3.06 alleles per locus. The developed markers, along with previously developed ones for large-glanded D. scandens species, were tested for amplification in 11 additional species of the genus Dalechampia. Four markers did not produce any detectable allele in 37 individuals from two populations of the large-glanded species. Average population genetic diversity for small- and large-glanded populations was 0.20 and 0.43, respectively. Cross-species amplification showed that 89% of all markers were successfully amplified in at least one of the eleven other Dalechampia species. These microsatellite markers may be useful for detecting undescribed species in the D. scandens species complex, and can be used for comparative analyses of genetic structure, mating system, and phylogeography of other Dalechampia species.