Genetic variation of arctic starflowr (Trientalis europaea subsp. arctica (fisch. ex hook.) hultén) (primulaceae), an endangered herb species of South Korea: Implications for conservation strategies

Abstract

Trientalis europaea subsp. arctica (Primulaceae) is an herb species that is distributed widely across the northern hemisphere but is endangered in South Korea. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and structure of T. arctica populations by using Random Amplification Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Ten RAPD primers were used to amplify 81 loci from 9 populations consisting of 270 individuals. T. arctica shows high genetic diversity at the species level, but low genetic diversity at the population level. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 86.4% at the species level, but the average PPB at the population level was 7.1%. In addition, Nei’s gene diversity (species level = 0.27; population level = 0.02) and Shannon’s information index (species level = 0.41; population level = 0.04) indicated similar genetic structures. T. arctica showed a high degree of genetic differentiation (Φst = 0.96 and Gst = 0.911) between populations and limited gene flow (Nm = 0.01). These results may be attributed to the fact that T. arctica is a refugial species in South Korea and to its long-term isolation in alpine regions. Considering the extremely low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation of T. arctica populations, both in situ and ex situ conservation should be carried out actively for this species. © 2021, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.