Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Castanopsis sclerophylla (Fagaceae)

• Premise of the study: We developed polymorphic microsatellite primers in Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindley & Paxton) Schottky (Fagaceae), a dominant canopy tree, to provide markers for further studies on the genetic structure and mating system of this species. • Methods and Results: Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and successfully amplified in three C. sclerophylla populations (Huangshanjian, Shilin, and Guanmiao) from Chun'an, Zhejiang Province, China. The number of alleles per locus in these populations ranged from 3 to 17. The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.100–0.977 and 0.294–0.916, respectively. • Conclusions: These microsatellite loci displayed moderate or high levels of polymorphism within the examined populations, showing the utility of primers in studying the genetic variation, parentage, and mating system of C. sclerophylla .