Genetic structure of an endangered plant, Antirrhinum microphyllum (Scrophulariaceae): Allozyme and RAPD analysis

Abstract

Thirteen allozyme loci and 68 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were analyzed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of threatened Antirrhinum microphyllum (Scrophulariaceae), a narrow endemic of central Spain known from only four populations. According to allozyme data, species genetic diversity (p = 46.15%, A = 2.61, and He = 0.218), as well as within-population genetic diversity (p = 44.23%, A = 2.10, and H e = 0.204), were high when compared to average estimates for other narrowly distributed plant species. Ninety-four percent of species genetic diversity corresponded to within-population genetic diversity. Nevertheless, significant differences were found among populations in allele frequencies of four of the six polymorphic loci, and three private alleles were detected. Inbreeding coefficients (FIS) suggest that populations are structured in genetic neighborhoods. The RAPDs also showed high levels of genetic diversity (p = 89.71% and He = 0.188 at the species level, and p = 67.65% and He = 0.171 at the population level). Nei's genetic distances estimated both from allozymes and RAPDs indicated low differentiation among populations. In spite of this, the low frequencies of certain alleles and the presence of private alleles indicate that efforts should be made to conserve all four remaining populations.