Novel microsatellite markers for the endangered Australian rainforest tree Davidsonia jerseyana (Cunoniaceae) and cross-species amplification in the Davidsonia genus

Davidsonia jerseyana is an endangered rainforest tree endemic to far north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The species occurs in small fragmented populations and has an edible plum-like fruit important to the Australian Native Food industry. Twenty one novel microsatellite markers were developed for D. jerseyana of which 13 were polymorphic for the species. Markers were characterised using 28 individuals, representing six populations from across the species geographic range. Species level analysis of the polymorphic markers revealed the mean number of alleles per locus was 3.154 (range 2–7) and mean expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.437 (range 0.035–0.725) and 0.044 (range 0–0.250) respectively. The heterozygote deficiency may indicate a predominantly selfing breeding system. All markers cross amplified in the other two Davidsonia species. These markers will be used to assess the genetic diversity, population structure and breeding systems in D. jerseyana and related taxa which will facilitate conservation management strategies.