Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers and tests of cross‐amplification in four widespread European calcicole ferns

• Premise of the study: Studies on the biogeography and population genetics of the widespread European rock ferns Asplenium scolopendrium , A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens , Polystichum setiferum , and P. aculeatum would potentially yield interesting new insights into the colonization capacities of ferns. Markers with sufficient resolution for detailed genetic studies are, however, not yet available. • Methods and Results: Using genome screening with intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers, a total of 16 different microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized for the four species. Some of these markers could be exchanged within each congeneric pair. • Conclusions: The developed primer sets will be very useful for analyses of the biogeography and population genetics of some widespread calcicole ferns. The observed cross‐amplification rates suggest a high potential for application on additional species from the same genera.