Repetitive genomic elements in Campomanesia xanthocarpa: prospection, characterization and cross amplification of molecular markers.

Repetitive genomic elements were prospected in Campomanesia xanthocarpa, aiming to characterize these elements in a non-model plant species and to develop species-specific microsatellite markers. Approximately 4.12% of the partial genome of C. xanthocarpa is composed of repetitive elements, being retrotransposons the most widely represented. A total of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were obtained: four nuclear-neutral, two nuclear EST, two plastidial and one mitochondrial. Levels of population genetic diversity of four natural populations of C. xanthocarpa were characterized using these markers. In addition, the cross-species amplification of the microsatellite markers was tested in seven species of tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae). The characterized microsatellite markers revealed low to moderate levels of genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity range: 0.33-0.57; observed heterozygosity: 0.26-0.74 and number of alleles: 2.25-4.25). Cross-species amplification was successful for all loci, except Cxant76. These nine markers will contribute for studies on genetic diversity, gene flow, plant selection and breeding of this species, towards the conservation of natural populations, as well as its commercial use. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2019.