Development of microsatellite primers for Senna multijuga (Fabaceae): a pioneer species from the Brazilian Atlantic forest

Abstract

Restoration activities of degraded tropical forest areas require tree species that can develop in harsh environments and facilitate the ecologic successional process. Here, we report the development and polymorphism of eleven microsatellite markers for Senna multijuga (Fabaceae), a pioneer tropical tree species and important food resource for local wildlife that occurs mainly in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Thirty-six individuals were collected in an abandoned cacao plantation and in pasture to characterize the developed primers. All eleven primers were polymorphic. On average, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.146 to 0.858 and an excess of heterozygotes were observed. The combined probability of exclusion was higher than 0.999, indicating that the microsatellite markers developed are suitable for genetic structure investigations and parentage analyses. Our results will contribute with the conservation genetics of the species to fulfill its role in restoring degraded tropical forest areas and proving precious resources to the local wildlife.