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PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite primers were developed in Prunus mongolica (Rosaceae), a relict flora endemic in arid areas of the Asian interior, to investigate the genetic diversity, phylogeography, population structure, and history of the species.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-one microsatellite loci, including di-, tri-, and tetranucelotide repeats, were identified using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatic screening. The number of alleles ranged from seven to 11 and the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.545 to 1.000 and 0.600 to 0.989, respectively. Most of the primers also amplified in a group of congeneric species (P. triloba, P. davidiana, P. persica, P. cerasifera, and P. serrulata).

CONCLUSIONS: This set of microsatellite loci is useful for studying the genetic diversity of P. mongolica. In addition, they can also be used to investigate the population structure, phylogeography, and landscape genetic patterns of congeneric species.