N. Billotte et al., Development, characterisation, and across-taxa utility of oil palm (Elaeisguineensis Jacq.) microsatellite markers, GENOME, 44(3), 2001, pp. 413-425
The results of the development of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) micros
atellite markers are given step by step, from the screening of libraries en
riched in (GA)(n), (GT)(n), and (CCG)(n) simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) to
the final characterisation of 21 SSR loci. Also published are primer sequen
ces, estimates of allele size range, and expected heterozygosity in E. guin
eensis and in the closely related species E. oleifera, in which an optimal
utility of the SSR markers was observed. Multivariate data analyses showed
the ability of SSR markers to efficiently reveal the genetic-diversity stru
cture of the genus Elaeis in accordance with known geographical origins and
with measured genetic relationships based on previous molecular studies. H
igh levels of allelic variability indicated that E. guineensis SSRs will be
a powerful tool for genetic studies of the genus Elaeis, including variety
identification and intra- or inter-specific genetic mapping. PCR amplifica
tion tests on a subset of 16 other palm species and allele-sequence data sh
owed that E. guineensis SSRs are putative transferable markers across palm
taxa. In addition, phenetic information based on SSR flanking region sequen
ces makes E. guineensis SSR markers a potentially useful molecular resource
for any researcher studying the phylogeny of palm taxa.