Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Momordica charantia L. to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure within and between M. charantia and its four related species (Cucurbita pepo L., Luffa cylindrical L., Lagenaria siceraria L., and Cucumis sativus L.). •
Methods and results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequence COntaining Repeats (FIASCO) method, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in 36 individuals of M. charantia. Across all the M. charantia samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from three to eight. Seven primers successfully amplified in the four related species. •
Conclusions: These markers will be useful to study population ecology and population differentiation among M. charantia species and its related species.