Abstract

Background and aims: One of the few tree species adapted to the ecologically limiting conditions of the Atacama Desert is Geoffroea decorticans, known as chanar. It is a valuable multipurpose resource used as a food and medicinal product. However, for the purpose of genetic studies, codominant DNA markers specific for this species have not yet been developed. The objective of this work is to develop and validate microsatellite markers (SSR) for G. decorticans, in order to perform future studies of genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations. M SSR markers were searched in the G. decorticans genome using the NextGeneration Sequencing (NGS) method, and they were validated through thirty individuals distributed in different localities in northern Chile. Results: A total of similar to 144,117 microsatellite loci were identified and a set of 41 primer pairs was used for validation. The amplified fragments ranged from 106 bp to 225 bp, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 9, and the PIC value of the 41 SSR loci ranged between 0.32 and 0.86, with an average of 0.64. Conclusions: For the first time, putative neutral SSR markers specific to the G. decorticans species have been developed in order to promote genetic studies for the conservation of the species. The present study provides a set of 38 new polymorphic SSR markers, which could serve as an effective tool to estimate genetic diversity, genetic structure and to be used in breeding programs.