Development of microsatellite markers from Mussaenda pubescens (Rubiaceae)

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in Mussaenda pubescens for further study of its levels of genetic diversity and changes in population genetic structure in reproductive character displacement and in shifts of sexual systems.• Methods and Results: Nineteen microsatellite loci were amplified successfully in M. pubescens, 17 of which were polymorphic. A maximum of eight alleles were detected per locus in 68 individuals at population level. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0 to 1.000 and 0 to 0.882, respectively.• Conclusions: These newly developed microsatellite markers will be useful in further investigations of genetic diversity and gene flow among populations of M. pubescens and its congeneric species.