Premium
Diversidad Genética, Tamaño Poblacional y Condición de Poblaciones Periféricas de la Planta Rara Lychnis viscaria
Author(s) -
Lammi Antti,
Siikamäki Pirkko,
Mustajärvi Kaisa
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.98278.x
Subject(s) - genetic diversity , biology , genetic drift , population , genetic variation , inbreeding , small population size , genetic structure , ecology , genetic distance , effective population size , genetic variability , evolutionary biology , population size , genetics , demography , gene , genotype , sociology , habitat
Genetic diversity is expected to decrease in small and isolated populations as a consequence of bottlenecks, founder effects, inbreeding, and genetic drift. The genetics and ecology of the rare perennial plant Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae) were studied in both peripheral and central populations within its distribution area. We aimed to investigate the overall level of genetic diversity, its spatial distribution, and possible differences between peripheral and central populations by examining several populations with electrophoresis. Our results showed that the level of genetic diversity varied substantially among populations ( H exp = 0.000–0.116) and that the total level of genetic diversity (mean H exp = 0.056) was low compared to that of other species with similar life‐history attributes. The peripheral populations of L. viscaria had less genetic variation (mean H exp = 0.034) than the central ones (0.114). Analysis of genetic structure suggested limited gene flow (mean F ST = 0.430) and high differentiation among populations, emphasizing the role of genetic drift ( N e m = 0.33). Isolation was even higher than expected based on the physical distance among populations. We also focused on the association between population size and genetic diversity and possible effects on fitness of these factors. Population size was positively correlated with genetic diversity. Population size and genetic diversity, however, were not associated with fitness components such as germination rate, seedling mass, or seed yield. There were no differences in the measured fitness components between peripheral and central populations. Even though small and peripheral populations had lower levels of genetic variation, they were as viable as larger populations, which emphasizes their potential value for conservation.