Isolation and characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci for the short-range endemic Asperula crassifolia L. (Rubiaceae)

Asperula crassifolia L. (Rubiaceae) is a narrowly endemic species whose distribution is limited to southern Italy. Data concerning relative abundance, or related to the genetic structure of the populations are still lacking, although rarity of the species is clear. We isolated 13 microsatellite loci for this species, tested on 30 individuals; all loci resulted polymorphic with a number of alleles per locus ranging from 3 to 15. Observed heterozygosity ranged from absence to 1.0 and null alleles were estimated to occur at some loci. The 13 markers listed in this paper will be used to evaluate population structure in A. crassifolia, in order to clarify evolutionary history and to identify conservation strategy.