Development of 17 novel microsatellite markers for Lycoris aurea and L-radiata (Amaryllidaceae) using next-generation sequencing

Premise of the Study Lycoris is an ornamental and medicinal plant. We developed microsatellite markers for L. aurea and L. radiata simultaneously by using a hybrid between these two species. Methods and Results Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing produced 1,784,504 reads. Testing 64 primer sets allowed for the development of 17 novel microsatellite markers: 16 for L. aurea, 10 for L. radiata, and nine common markers. Lycoris aurea had one to 12 alleles per locus and observed and expected heterozygosity levels of 0-0.923 and 0.038-0.809, respectively. Lycoris radiata had three to 12 alleles per locus and observed and expected heterozygosity levels of 0-0.909 and 0.127-0.797, respectively. Ten markers were cross-amplified for L. sprengeri. Conclusions Hybrid sequencing can facilitate the cost-effective development of molecular markers for parental species. The markers developed here are useful for studying Lycoris population structure.