Isolation of SSR markers for two African tropical tree species Erythrophleum suaveolens and E. ivorense (Caesalpinioideae).

Premise of the study: To characterize the level of genetic diversity and gene flow, as well as to identify unambiguously two African tropical tree species, Erythrophleum ivorense and E. suaveolens, we have developed a set of nuclear SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) markers. . Methods and Results: Nine SSRs that display polymorphism in both species were identified. The nine newly developed SSR markers can be amplified in only two multiplexed reactions. Levels of polymorphism were assessed in two populations per species, yielding two to fifteen alleles per locus in E. ivorense and three to sixteen alleles per locus in E. suaveolens. . Conclusions: The SSR markers developed here are promising to study the spatial distribution of genetic diversity and the genetic delimitation of two Erythrophleum species from central Africa