Premise of the study: Veronicastrum japonicum (Plantaginaceae) grows in grasslands on Honshu Island, Japan, and is threatened by habitat loss because of rapid land development over recent decades. For the genetic characterization of the remaining populations, microsatellite markers were developed.
Methods and results: Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using next-generation sequencing. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 24 (mean 7.7), and the expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.35 to 0.94 (mean 0.68).
Conclusions: These markers can be used for genetic studies in conservation, such as the evaluation of genetic diversity and genetic structure.
Keywords: Plantaginaceae; Veronicastrum japonicum; conservation; grassland herb; next-generation sequencing.