Sarah J. Pate¹, Jason A. Clement², Joe-Ann H. McCoy³, Stacey L. Lance⁴, and Katherine G. Mathews^1,5

¹Department of Biology, 132 Natural Science Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee,
North Carolina 28723 USA
²Department of Chemistry and Physics, 231 Natural Science Building, Western Carolina University,
Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 USA
³Bent Creek Germplasm Repository, The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina 28806 USA
⁴Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed in Actaea racemosa to analyze population genetic structure, compare genetic diversity across the species’ range, and provide a genetic context for studies of phytochemical variation.
Methods and Results: A total of seven polymorphic loci were screened in 60 individuals from 12 localities. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to six, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.133 to 0.900. Most of the loci tested cross-amplified in A. pachypoda, A. podocarpa, and A. rubra, indicating the utility of these markers for the genus.
Conclusions: These new loci will provide tools for population genetics studies, including the characterization of genetic variation in A. racemosa and other eastern North American species of Actaea.

Keywords: Actaea racemosa; black cohosh; medicinal plant; microsatellites; Ranunculaceae

SREL Reprint #3236