Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for Passiflora contracta

Abstract

Passiflora contracta Vitta (Passifloraceae) is an endemic species of the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most species-rich ecoregions in the world, although extremely endangered. We have developed an enriched microsatellite library in order to fine-scale studies of the genetic structure of P. contracta. Twelve pairs of microsatellite primers were designed, and seven loci were successfully amplified and characterized by genotyping two wild populations of P. contracta. All seven loci were polymorphic, with an average number of alleles found being 4.8 and 5 per population. The cross-species transferability was tested using sister species Passiflora ovalis Vell. Ex Roemer. The development of these markers will contribute to the studies of population genetics in P. contracta as well as future studies concerning diversity patterns in the Atlantic Rainforest, and may also help to establish strategies for the conservation of this species.

Genetic variability assessment in the genus Passiflora by SSR marker

“…A total of 41 alleles were obtained for the 12 loci analyzed. Similar allelic variation was found by Cazé et al (2012) when they were characterizing SSR loci developed for P. contracta in which the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9, with a mean equal to 5. Cerqueira-Silva et al The locus PE66 presented a greater number of alleles (5) while four alleles were found in locus PE18.…”

“…Oliveira et al (2005) evaluated accessions of P. edulis and found similar results for Ho, which ranged from 0.0 to 1.0. Cazé et al (2012) used seven microsatellite loci to study the genetic structure of P. contracta and obtained Ho = 0.50.…”

“…Microsatellite markers have been developed for some species of the genus Passiflora, and for P. edulis Sims , P. alata Curtis , P. cincinnata Mast. (Cerqueira-Silva et al, 2012), and P. contracta Vitta (Cazé et al, 2012). However, microsatellites have not been developed yet for most species of this genus.…”

Characterization and selection of passion fruit (yellow and purple) accessions based on molecular markers and disease reactions for use in breeding programs

“…For wild passion fruit species, such as P. contracta, P. cincinnata and P. setacea, the average number of alleles per locus has also been found to be low, ranging from 2.8 to 4.9 (Cerqueira- Silva et al 2014b;Cazé et al 2012). In addition, the number of alleles detected in passion fruit undergoing recurrent selection has beenreported to be fewer than three alleles per locus (Reis et al 2011).…”

“…Molecular markers have also contributed to the monitoring of genetic variability in segregant populations subjected to cycle selection (Reis et al 2012(Reis et al , 2011Costa et al 2012) and backcrossing (Fonseca et al 2009). These referenced works, together with the growing number of results concerning the identification and characterization of microsatellite markers in passion fruit species (Cerqueira- Silva et al 2014b;Penha et al 2013;Cazé et al 2012;Cerqueira-Silva et al 2012b;Padua et al 2005;Oliveira et al 2005) should effectively contribute to advancing breeding programs and to proposing strategies for managing and conserving passion fruit.…”