The genetic legacy of fragmentation and overexploitation in the threatened medicinal African pepper-bark tree, Warburgia salutaris

摘要: The pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris) is one of the most highly valued medicinal plant species worldwide. Native to southern Africa, this has been extensively harvested for bark, which widely used in traditional health practices. Illegal harvesting coupled with habitat degradation contributed fragmentation populations and a severe decline its distribution. Even though included IUCN Red List as Endangered, genetic data that would help conservation efforts future re-introductions are absent. We therefore developed new molecular markers understand patterns diversity, structure, gene flow W. salutaris important areas occurrence (Mozambique). In study, we have shown that, despite overexploitation, maintains relatively high level diversity supporting existence random mating. Two groups were found corresponding northern locations. Our study suggests if local extinctions occurred Mozambique, persisted sufficient numbers retain large proportion diversity. Management plans should concentrate on maintaining variability through both ex-situ actions.