Cross-amplification of microsatellite markers on the endangered tree species <i>Castanopsis argentea</i> from other <i>Castanopsis</i> species: a valuable tool for genetic diversity analysis

Castanopsis argentea is an endangered tree naturally distributed in Java and Sumatera Island and considered a keystone species in the submontane forest ecosystem. A laboratory study was conducted to test the cross-amplification potential of seven pairs of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii microsatellite markers to be used for Castanopsis argentea. The rate of cross-amplification success, average number of alleles per locus (NA), observed heterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosity (HE), and fixation index (FIS) were determined, and cross-amplification potential was investigated. The rate of amplification success was 85.71% (6 out of 7 markers were successful amplified), NA was 7.67, HO ranged from 0.467 to 0.923, HE ranged from 0.441 to 0.745, and the fixation index (FIS) ranged from −0.413 to 0.278. Results indicate the high transferability of C. cuspidata var. sieboldii microsatellite markers to C. argentea. Six markers were suitable for genetic diversity and population genetic studies on C. argentea.