New microsatellite markers for wild and commercial species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae) and cross-amplification

• Grant number: 14/01391-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Anete Pereira de Souza
• Grantee: Anete Pereira de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética (CBMEG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Premise of the study: We developed the first microsatellites for Passiflora setacea and characterized new sets of markers for P. edulis and P. cincinnata, enabling further genetic diversity studies to support theconservation and breeding of passion fruit species.· Methods and Results: We developed 69 microsatellite markers and, in conjunction with assessments ofcross-amplification using primers available from the literature, present 43 new polymorphic microsatellite loci for three species of Passiflora. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.1, and the mean values of theexpected and observed levels of heterozygosity were 0.406 and 0.322, respectively.· Conclusions: These microsatellite markers will be valuable tools for investigating the genetic diversity and population structure of wild and commercial species of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) and may be useful for developing conservation and improvement strategies by contributing to the understanding of the mating system and hybridization within the genus. (AU)