Isolation and characterization of 12 microsatellite loci from Suzukia shikikunensis (Lamiaceae), a genus endemic to Taiwan and Ryukyus

Suzukia shikikunensis Kudo is an endemic plant in Taiwan and suffers habitat destruction caused by human overexploitation. In this study, we developed 12 microsatellite primer pairs for genetic study. These markers were screened for 24 samples collected from wild populations distributed in Taiwan, and for a sister species S. luchuensis collected from Yonaguni and Lutao Islands. The number of alleles ranged from 5 to 14. The expected (H _E) and observed (H _O) heterozygosities were 0.65-0.922 and 0-0.625, respectively. All loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium due to the heterozygote deficiency. These primers amplifying microsatellites in the two species may provide a useful tool for population genetics to establish conservation strategy.