Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Melia volkensii Gurke

Melia volkensii Gurke is a drought-tolerant tree endemic to the drylands of eastern Africa. In Kenya, the tree has been overexploited for use as timber, and domestication efforts have demonstrated diversity in both genetically controlled tree growth and form. Genetic markers, however, have not yet been developed to support conservation and breeding efforts in the species. In the present study, 15 novel microsatellite markers were developed for M. volkensii Gurke. Genetic variation at these loci was examined in 89 samples from three natural populations in Kenya. All loci were highly polymorphic with mean number of alleles, expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity per locus in samples collected from three natural populations in Kenya having values of 9.92, 0.72 and 0.67, respectively. The microsatellite markers developed in the present study will serve as useful tools in the study of population genetics, ecology, conservation and management of M. volkensii.