Interspecific amplification of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Myrtaceae) microsatellite loci potential implications for conservation studies

This study investigated the interspecific amplification of 35 microsatellite loci developed for M. alternifolia across seven other species within the Myrtaceae. All the primers used gave successful amplification of loci in at least one of the species tested. The level of success varied between species; 88.6% of primers gave amplification products for Melaleuca spp., 74.3% for Callistemon salignus, 45.7% for Eucalyptus spp. and 25.7% for Backhousia citriodora. Sequencing of a number of amplification products confirmed the presence of microsatellites in those loci. This study shows that the development of species-specific microsatellite libraries might not always be necessary. Cross-species amplification could enable the application of microsatellite technology to studies with limited resources, a feature characteristic of conservation projects.