Background Microsatellite markers were developed for distylous Linum suffruticosum and tested in the monomorphic sister species Linum tenuifolium. These species are perennial herbs endemic to the western and northwestern Mediterranean, respectively, with a partially overlapping distribution area.Methods and resultsWe developed 12 microsatellite markers for L. suffruticosum using next generation sequencing, and assessed their polymorphism and genetic diversity in 152 individuals from seven natural populations. The markers displayed high polymorphism, with two to 16 alleles per locus and population, and average observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.833 and 0.692, respectively. All loci amplified successfully in the sister species L. tenuifolium, and 150 individuals from seven populations were also screened. The polymorphism exhibited was high, with two to ten alleles per locus and population, and average observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.77 and 0.62, respectively.

Conclusions The microsatellite markers identified in L. suffruticosum and tested in L. tenuifolium are a powerful tool to facilitate future investigations of the population genetics, mating patterns and hybridization between both Linum species in their contact zone.