Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in endangered Astrophytum asterias (Cactaceae)

We report the development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered North American cactus Astrophytum asterias (Cactaceae). Six loci, averaging 8.5 alleles per locus, were found to amplify genomic DNA consistently in 94 individuals from four geographically defined demes in South Texas. These markers will permit the generation of appropriate data for estimating population genetic parameters, population structure and the degree of inbreeding in the small, fragmented populations of A. asterias that currently exist. These are the first microsatellites reported for the genus Astrophytum and for the tribe Cacteae.