Abstract
Publically available cDNA sequence data of Citrullus lanatus were searched for simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Nineteen microsatellites were identified and primer pairs were designed to amplify those loci. Primers were evaluated for their ability to detect polymorphisms within a set of several watermelon varieties and local landraces, C. colocynthis, and interspecific hybrids. Eighteen polymorphic SSR loci were identified. These polymorphic loci can be used for varietal identification and other uses.