Microsatellite primers for vulnerable seagrass Halophila beccarii (Hydrocharitaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Polymorphic microsatellite primers were developed in the vulnerable seagrass Halophila beccarii to investigate genetic variation and provide necessary markers for studying its population genetic structure.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Six polymorphic and six monomorphic microsatellite loci were developed in H. beccarii. Most loci were successfully amplified across 40 H. beccarii individuals collected from three populations from coastal regions of southern China. Two to four alleles per locus were observed at the six polymorphic loci. The highest expected heterozygosity was 0.5737.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate low levels of polymorphism in H. beccarii from coastal regions of southern China. They also illustrate that these primers may be useful for studying the mating system and population genetics of H. beccarii on a global scale.