Development of highly conserved primers for 12 new polymorphic microsatellite loci for the genus Rorippa Scop. (Brassicaceae), yellow-cress

We isolated 12 highly conserved polymorphic microsatellite loci for the yellow-cress species Rorippa amphibia and Rorippa sylvestris. We used a partial genomic library enriched for several repeat motifs. Obtained sequences containing repetitive elements were blasted and aligned with the Arabidopsis thaliana sequence. We evaluated the cross-species compatibility of primers designed from sequences either aligning strongly or weakly with A. thaliana. The former proved much more efficient in obtaining primers that worked in both species. The developed conserved primers for microsatellite loci provide excellent markers for studying segregation, gene flow and hybridization in the genus Rorippa.