Conservation genetics of the annual hemiparasitic plant Melampyrum sylvaticum (Orobanchaceae) in the UK and Scandinavia

摘要: Melampyrum sylvaticum is an endangered annual hemiparasitic plant that found in only 19 small and isolated populations the United Kingdom (UK). To evaluate genetic consequences of this patchy distribution we compared levels diversity, inbreeding differentiation from ten UK with eight relatively large Sweden Norway where species more continuously distributed. We demonstrate both Scandinavia, highly (global F IS = 0.899). Levels population were high (F’ST = 0.892) significantly higher amongst (F’ST = 0.949) than Scandinavian (F’ST = 0.762; P < 0.01). The have, on average, lower diversity (allelic richness, proportion loci are polymorphic, gene diversity) populations, difference associated smaller census size area populations. From a conservation perspective, naturally nature may buffer against immediate effects depression, but markedly represent constraint to evolutionary change. In addition, suggest flow among will not be effective at replenishing lost variation. thus recommend supporting situ management ex human-mediated seed dispersal selected UK.