Microsatellite markers for Grosmannia alacris (Ophiostomataceae, Ascomycota) and other species in the G. serpens complex

Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the pine-infecting fungus, Grosmannia alacris. Methods and Results: Sixteen microsatellite markers were developed by using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-PCRs and 454 sequencing methods. Seven of these markers showed polymorphisms for a South African population of G. alacris, and 13 markers showed polymorphism when European isolates were included. Most of the primer pairs also amplified four closely related species: G. serpens, Leptographium gibbsii, L. castellanum, and L. yamaokae. Conclusions: These new markers will be useful for population studies of G. alacris and other species in the G. serpens complex.