Data from: Development of 15 nuclear EST microsatellite markers for the palaeoendemic conifer Pherosphaera hookeriana (Podocarpaceae)

Premise of the study: Nuclear microsatellite markers were developed for population genetic analysis of the threatened palaeoendemic conifer Pherosphaera hookeriana W. Archer (Podocarpaceae).

Methods and Results: Fifteen variable loci were identified showing 1 to 13 alleles per population with seven loci displaying over four alleles in all populations and the average number of alleles per locus ranging from 4.8 to 5.93 per population. The observed heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.00 to 0.91 and overall heterozygosity was markedly consistent between populations (from 0.54 to 0.57). All loci also amplified in the endangered congener P. fitzgeraldii but only five of the loci had more than one allele.

Conclusions: These 15 loci are the first microsatellite markers developed in the genus Pherosphaera. These loci will be useful for investigating the species' extant genetic diversity and structure, the impact of past environmental change and the significance of asexual reproduction.