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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2019, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (9): 71-80.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20190908

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Genetic Diversity of an Endangered Plant Amygdalus ledebouriana in Xinjiang

Ma Songmei1, Wang Chuncheng2, Sun Fangfang2, Wei Bo2, Nie Yingbin3   

  1. 1. College of Science, Shihezi University Shihezi 832000;
    2. College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University Shihezi 832000;
    3. Institute of Crop Research, Xinjiang Academy of Agri-Reclamation Sciences Shihezi 832000
  • Received:2018-11-19 Revised:2019-03-11 Published:2019-10-28

Abstract: [Objective] Based on the cpDNA sequences, we aimed to analyze the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of the relict and endangered Amygdalus ledebouriana in Xinjiang and to provide a scientific basis for conservation of the populations.[Method] Based on the cpDNA of trnL-trnF and psbK-psbI, we sequenced 102 individuals from 8 populations in the natural distribution of A. ledebouriana in Xinjiang. AMOVA analysis and landscape genetic interpolation were employed to estimate genetic differentiation among populations, and maximum likelihood method and Bayesian method were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree based on cpDNA haplotypes.[Result] 1) The combined lengths of trnL-trnF and psbK-psbI was 584 bp, 14 polymorphic sites were detected, and a total of 9 haplotypes were identified. The total gene diversity across all populations (hT) and the average gene diversity within-population (hS) were 0.755 and 0.487, respectively. 2) Results from AMOVA suggested that 65.71% of the observed variation was due to differences among populations. A significant genetic structure (NST>GST, P<0.05) was identified in the natural distribution of the species. 3) Nine haplotypes clustered into two clades, corresponding to the Altay region and the Tacheng region, respectively. The haplotype network and PCoA analyses also showed two groups consistent with the geographical regions of the Altay and Tacheng. Landscape genetic interpolation analyses indicated significant genetic differentiation between populations from Altay and Tacheng regions. 4) The populations of Kong Dunlin foothills of Habahe County(HBK) and the Group 2 in Protected Areas of Yumin County(YMB2) were identified as having a high degree of genetic diversity,priority should be given to these areas for conservation of this endangered plant.[Conclusion] Based on the cpDNA sequences, most of the observed variation of Amygdalus ledebouriana was due to differences among the populations, and significant genetic differentiation between the Altay and Tacheng regions was identified. The two population groups of Altay and Tacheng regions can serve as two ESUs, and the HBK and YMB2 were identified as the priority areas for conservation of genetic diversity of the species.This study provides a scientific basis for further studies of the distribution, evolution and conservation of A. ledebouriana populations.

Key words: Amygdalus ledebouriana, genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, evolutionarily significant units(ESUs), conservation

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