Characterization of microsatellite loci for Cypripedium kentuckiense (Orchidaceae)

Cypripedium kentuckiense is one of the 15 Cypripedium species found in North America. Its populations are threatened by illegal collection and land conversion. Assessing the level of genetic variation within-and-among populations employing species-specific and variable co-dominant molecular markers such as microsatellite can assist in developing appropriate conservation strategies. For the first time, we report eight polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers for C. kentuckiense. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight and the mean number of alleles across eight loci was 4.13. Mean observed (H _o ) and expected heterozygosity (H _e ) values were 0.514 and 0.522, respectively. The eight markers reported in this study can be used to estimate genetic diversity, genetic structure, gene flow, and mating system of the species.