Biodiv Sci

Special Issue: 物种形成与系统进化

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Allozymic genetic diversity in Manglietia patungensis, an endangered species, and its conservation strategies

Jingsheng He, Zuozhou Li, Hongwen Huang*   

  1. Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074
  • Received:2004-07-16 Revised:2004-12-27 Online:2005-01-20 Published:2005-01-20
  • Contact: Hongwen Huang

Abstract:

The allozymic genetic diversity in Manglietia patungensis, an endangered and endemic species of China, was examined by employing isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide slab gels. Nineteen loci of eight enzyme systems were detected and used to estimate genetic diversity within and among populations. The results revealed that high levels of genetic diversity existed in M. patungensis. The average number of alleles per locus(A) was 1.57, the percentage of polymorphic loci (P)was 48.1%, and the mean expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.192. At the species level, the values of As, Ps,and Hes were 1.89, 68.4, and 0.209, respectively. The GST was 0.165, suggesting that 83.5% of the total genetic diversity was distributed within populations. Average gene flow (Nm = 1.27) was moderate. The fixation index (F= -0.191) indicated a slight excess of heterozygotes within populations. Considering the relatively high levels of genetic diversity in M. patungensis populations and the many seedlings regenerating in the largest population, we recommend in situ conservation to maintain viable M. patungensis populations in their original habitats.