Eight microsatellite markers isolated from common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) and cross-amplification with herbarium specimens

Eight microsatellite markers were developed for population genetic analyses of the common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Markers were tested for amplification with three populations (two recent populations from France and North America, and one historical population from herbarium specimens). These loci revealed a high level of genetic variability (5-19 alleles per locus; expected heterozygosity, 0.48-0.92). No significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium were observed. The data thus demonstrate their utility as efficient genetic markers for determining the genetic diversity, population differentiation, and gene flow among invasive, native, and historical populations