Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were developed for Pseudotaxus chienii , an old rare species endemic to China, and which provided a useful tool for investigating the patterns of population genetic structure, phylogeography, evolutionary history, and adaptive potential. Transferability was assayed in the related species, Taxus wallichiana var. mairei . 

Methods and Results: A total of 15 microsatellite loci were targeted in P. chienii using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining Repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Polymorphism was evaluated in fi ve populations of P. chienii and fi ve populations of T. wallichiana var. mairei . Of these loci, 13 were polymorphic in P. chienii , whereas 15 were polymorphic in T. wallichiana var. mairei . 

Conclusions: The 15 microsatellite loci developed lay a solid foundation for further studies on population genetic variability and investigations of local adaptation. Additionally, cross-species amplifi cation in T. wallichiana var. mairei showed that these loci may also have potential utility in other genera of Taxaceae.