Genetic diversity of the endangered Chinese endemic plant Monimopetalum chinense revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).

摘要

Monimopetalum chinense Rehd. is an endangered woody vine endemic to eastern China. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, we examined levels of genetic variation within and among eleven populations located across the species' distribution. Although modest levels of heterozygosity were detected, other measures of genetic diversity registered relatively high levels of variability, both at the species level (P=91.0%, H_E=0.232, I_S=0.365) and at the population level (P=53.0%, H_E=0.155, I_S=0.239). Populations also exhibited high levels of genetic differentiation (Nei's genetic diversity analysis, G_ST=0.330), corresponding to isolation-by-distance and hierarchical population structure. These results indicate that, despite low levels of gene flow, populations of M. chinense still harbor substantial amounts of genetic diversity. Management plans for the species should include measures that ensure genetic diversity remains high within and among extant populations.