MICROSATELLITE LOCI FOR AVICENNIA ALBA (ACANTHACEAE), SONNERATIA ALBA (LYTHRACEAE) AND RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA (RHIZOPHORACEAE)

Microsatellite markers were developed for three major mangrove species Avicennia alba, Sonneratia alba and Rhizophora mucronata to investigate the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of these species. The numbers of polymorphic compound microsatellite markers isolated were four, four and three for A. alba, S. alba and R. mucronata respectively. Genetic parameters of these markers were evaluated with three populations from the Malay peninsula. The numbers of alleles per locus within each population ranged from 1–13 for A. alba, 1–6 for S. alba and 1–3 for R. mucronata. Expected heterozygosity per population ranged from 0.000–0.877 for A. alba, 0.000–0.647 for S. alba and 0.000–0.558 for R. mucronata. All 11 microsatellite markers displayed polymorphism within and between populations. Most markers were also amplified in closely-related species: Avicennia rumphiana, Sonneratia caseolaris, S. ovata, Rhizophora stylosa and R. apiculata. This demonstrates the usefulness and robustness of the described markers in population genetic studies and potential forestry research in mangroves.