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Using microsatellites and cpDNA sequences, we have analyzed genetic diversity and structure and evaluated levels of introgression of 19 populations from the Centaurea alba complex from subsection Phalolepis and six taxa from the closely related subsections Centaurea and Willkommia from the Iberian Peninsula. Genetic differentiation among the different populations of the C. alba complex was lower than those found in the Italian/northern-central Balkans, Greek, and Anatolian populations of subsect. Phalolepis. The lower genetic differentiation among the populations of the Iberian Peninsula compared to the other Mediterranean peninsulas may be due to intraspecific higher levels of admixture but also to a considerable degree of introgression with species that grow in close proximity. Although there is a significant pattern of isolation by distance within the C. alba complex, we have found considerable levels of gene flow between taxa, both recent and historical. Hybridization and introgression were also evident, as it is often observed within the genus. Patterns of genetic structure support the recognition of C. alba and C. costae as different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Salvador herbarium (seventeenth to eighteenth century) is one of the oldest pre-Linnaean herbaria in Spain. Currently preserved in the Botanical Institute of Barcelona, it was reviewed by Pourret during the eighteenth century, who added the Linnaean name of the species to the labels and proposed many new names. Our study has allowed us to enlist all taxa proposed by Pourret (a total of 335); however, only 12 were validly published (some by other authors), and two of them are lectotypified here. We have also classified the rest of names into three categories: 35 that were included in publications by other authors but are not validly published names; 160 that were published by other authors; and 128 that we have not been able to find in any publication, and they should be considered as merely Pourret's proposals without any validity. These results reflect the situation of plant taxonomy in the late eighteenth century; in Pourret's time the number of published taxa was very low while taxonomical studies done by other contemporary authors were rarely available. Thus, Pourret was not able to assign already published taxa to all specimens and, therefore, he was forced to do new proposals that were mostly incorrectly published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbarium Trèmols, preserved in the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB), was created during the second half of the 19th century by the Catalan chemist and botanist Frederic Trèmols Borrell (Cadaqués 1831–1900). He was a member of important scientific institutions, including the Real Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona, the Societat Botànica Barcelonesa, the Société Botanique de France, and the Société Helvétique pour l'Échange des Plantes. The value of this herbarium lies in the large volume of specimens that it preserves (12,953) and the high percentage (61.9%) of material of foreign origin that it contains. The Trèmols herbarium was completely digitised in 2019 as part of a wider study that is aimed to classify, digitise, document, review, and, finally, make the IBB historical herbaria available to the scientific community. Herein, we provide a general overview of the almost 13,000 specimens of this collection, which can give valuable insight into the flora that existed more than 100 years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigated a set of narrow endemics of Centaurea subsect. Phalolepis from the mountains of South Italy (mainly Calabria and Salento), segregated from the widespread species Centaurea deusta, using microsatellite (SSR) markers. The goal was to analyse the genetic makeup (levels and structure) of C. deusta and the segregated species and verify whether genetic clusters were in agreement with current classification of the species. With C. deusta, we also carried out an ecological niche modelling (ENM) analysis to check its potential distribution under present climatic conditions and to project it to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). As also found in former studies with subsect. Phalolepis in Greece and Turkey using the same set of SSRs, genetic diversity for the segregated Italian species was higher than expected for narrow endemics with small populations. Genetic clusters, however, were not correlated with the described species and did not support the segregation of the purported narrow endemics from a widely defined C. deusta. The results of the ENM indicate that the Adriatic Sea was a migration corridor for C. deusta at the LGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, has a convulsive geological history, with recurring closing and opening events since the late Miocene. As a consequence, this region has played a major role in the evolutionary history of many species. Cynara baetica (Compositae) is a diploid perennial herb distributed in both sides of this strait. It is currently subdivided into two subspecies: C. baetica subsp. baetica for the Spanish populations, and C. baetica subsp. maroccana for the Moroccan ones. Following three different approximations of species delimitation, including phylogenetic and population genetic analyses (based on three AFLP primer combinations and two intergenic spacers of cpDNA), ecological niche modeling (ENM) and morphological studies, this taxon is investigated and reinterpreted. The results obtained showed a clear genetic, morphological and ecological differentiation between the two taxa and the important role played by the Strait of Gibraltar as a geographical barrier. Based on this evidence, the current taxonomic treatment is modified (both taxa should recover their specific rank) and specific conservation guidelines are proposed for the newly delimited taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the present taxonomical treatment, Paeonia subsect. Delavayanae consists of only two species ( P. delavayi and P . ludlowii ) endemic to the Himalayan-Hengduan Mountains. Although P. ludlowii can be distinguished from P. delavayi on the basis of a series of morphological characters, the species delimitation remains controversial because the more widespread one, P. delavayi , exhibits considerable morphological diversity. Both chloroplast DNA markers and nuclear microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (nSSR) are used herein to reveal genetic diversity and relationships of the two taxa included in this subsection, and ecological niche modeling (ENM) is employed to get insights into their paleodistribution. Our results show that genetic boundaries between the two currently recognized species are unclear, probably due to recent divergence. Paeonia ludlowii is budding from P. delavayi , probably by genetic isolation but also by shifting its niche to the harsher upland Tibetan conditions. Paeonia delavayi itself would be, however, under active speciation, showing significant genetic differentiation and morphological diversity. Whereas P. ludlowii would have endured the Pleistocene glacial periods by in situ persistence in local, small refugia, a ‘dual’ model seems to apply for P. delavayi ( in situ persistence and retreat to refugia). The rarity of P. ludlowii and high evolutionary potential of P. delavayi imply high priority for in situ conservation of both taxa. The Himalayan-Hengduan Mountains are an ideal arena for differentiation within subsect. Delavayanae of Paeonia , by means of expansions/contractions/displacements, vertical migrations, and local survival/extinctions in response to the Neogene climate fluctuations and geological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide basic information for orchid conservation, we surveyed the plant allozyme literature to summarize genetic diversity and structure data for (i) rare orchids native to the Korean Peninsula, and (ii) their congeners irrespective of being common and rare or Korean or not. A total of 68 taxa (32 taxa in Korea and 37 outside Korea; Goodyera repens being included in both datasets) were considered in this study. Overall, rare Korean orchid species had significantly lower levels of genetic diversity than their common congeners and common orchids in general at both population and species levels. However, mean values of GST (or FST) for rare and common orchids (Korean or not) did not differ significantly from each other. We found patterns of both low and high genetic diversity in rare Korean orchids. Many rare orchids harbored a complete lack of allozyme variation or extremely low within-population variation, perhaps due to rarity associated with random genetic drift and/or, for the case of warm-temperate orchids, to founder effects during postglacial re-colonization. In contrast, high levels of genetic variation were found for a few orchids that have become recently rare (due to over-collection during the past several decades), probably because there have not been sufficient generations for the initial diversity to be substantially eroded. In addition, several orchids occurring in the main mountain system of the Korean Peninsula (the Baekdudaegan), that served as a glacial refugium, maintained moderate to high levels of within-population genetic diversity. Based on our genetic data, conservation priority should be given to rare orchid species. Particularly, urgent measures should be implemented on Jeju Island, a popular vacation spot, because it also a hotspot for threatened orchids with low levels of genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 40 years, the climate has been changing and human disturbance has increased in the vast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). These 2 factors are expected to affect the distribution of a large number of endemic vertebrate species. However, quantitative relationships between range shifts and climate change and human disturbance of these species in the QTP have rarely been evaluated. We used occurrence records of 19 terrestrial vertebrate species (birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles) occurring in the QTP from 1980 to 2020 to quantify the effects of climate change and anthropogenic impacts on the distribution of these 4 taxonomic groups and estimated species range changes in each species. The trend in distribution changes differed among the taxonomic groups, although, generally, ranges shifted to central QTP. Climate change contributed more to range variation than human disturbance (the sum of the 4 climatic variables contributed more than the sum of the 4 human disturbance variables for all 4 taxonomic groups). Suitable geographic range increased for most mammals, amphibians, and reptiles (+27.6%, +18.4%, and +27.8% on average, respectively), whereas for birds range decreased on average by 0.9%. Quantitative evidence for climate change and human disturbance associations with range changes for endemic vertebrate species in the QTP can provide useful insights into biodiversity conservation under changing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main Korean mountain range [the so-called “Baekdudaegan” (BDDG)] is thought to have served as a glacial refugium, mainly for the boreal and temperate flora of northeastern Asia. To test this hypothesis, we have critically reviewed ( i ) the genetic literature focused on plants for which Korean populations have been studied or Korean endemic plants, and ( ii ) palaeoecological studies with data from the Korean Peninsula and/or from neighboring regions. Consistent with this hypothesis, Korean populations showed higher intrapopulation genetic diversity (and, in some cases, with latitudinal decreases of genetic variation), harbored ancestral haplotypes, and/or exhibited significant amounts of unique haplotypes/alleles. Palaeoecological data support the genetic studies, indicating that the BDDG sustained an assemblage of boreal and temperate forests at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Given its floristic, biogeographic, and cultural value (it is regarded as a “holy mountain system” in Korea), the BDDG merits high priority for conservation. In order to guarantee the preservation of the BDDG, we suggest enlarging the current BDDG Mountains Reserve in South Korea, whereas in North Korea the accelerated deforestation should be stopped and new protected areas should be set up. Cooperation between the two Koreas is also needed, and may constitute an important step towards more ambitious initiatives such as the creation of the “Ecological Corridor of Northeast Asia”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used allozyme electrophoresis to survey genetic diversity of Agrostis barceloi L.Sáez & Rosselló, an extremely narrow endemic species from the island of Majorca (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean Basin). This species is a tetraploid with a single natural population of less than 100 individuals. All analyzed individuals of A. barceloi showed the same genotype. Four out of 18 interpretable loci showed fixed heterozygosity (thus supporting an allopolyploid origin). The genotypic uniformity of this species may be attributed to a founder effect associated with a dispersal event of its ancestor from the continent, a very small current effective population size ( N), and a series of natural or anthropogenic threats affecting the population. We propose several conservation measures such as seed storing and plant production for further reinforcements (which do not need any previous work for selecting individuals because of the genetic uniformity). In addition, we suggest the preservation of the mountain summit where the species is found (Puig Major), which would also positively influence the conservation of other co-occurring ENEs and other rare and threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains of continental Greece are one of the main Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots, very rich in endemic species. The speciation in this area might have resulted from two main factors: a complex orography and its role as a refugium during past glaciations. We have investigated genetic diversity and population structure for a group of narrow endemics of Centaurea subsect. Phalolepis , with three main goals: to investigate population structure of these narrow endemics, to check whether patterns of genetic variation are in agreement with recognized species boundaries, and to get insights into the process of diversification within this group. Fifteen populations belonging to seven species were genotyped using cpDNA ( rpl32-trnL region) sequences and nuclear microsatellites (eight loci). SSR were used to assess genetic variability, to analyse molecular variance, to identify genetic barriers, to estimate recent and historical gene flow, and to carry out a model-based Bayesian clustering. Analysis of cpDNA was used to construct a haplotype network. Despite being narrow endemics, all the studied species show moderate to high SSR genetic diversity. Genetic isolation of populations is very high, with no current gene flow among them. Patterns of genetic structure indicate that there are more genetic clusters than there are currently recognized taxa. Genetic data suggest that isolation in mountain ranges and subsequent allopatric speciation would be the main driver of diversification in the group; the refugial nature of the mountains of continental Greece has allowed the maintenance of high within-population genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boreal Lilium distichum and temperate L. tsingtauense are morphologically very similar, thus they have been placed in the section Martagon. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that L. distichum and L. tsingtauense are indeed the most closely related species within that section. Lilium distichum has a wider geographic range and a broader niche than L. tsingtauense. We hypothesized that L. distichum- L. tsingtauense might be a classical 'progenitor-derivative' (P-D) species pair and examined the levels of allozyme diversity in the two species in South Korea. Whereas the allelic composition of L. tsingtauense represented a subset of L. distichum, the former had significantly lower allozyme variability at both the population and the species levels than the latter. Except for the locus Fe (fluorescent esterase), allele frequencies of L. distichum were very similar to those of L. tsingtauense. Accordingly, pairwise genetic identities between populations of L. distichum and L. tsingtauense were very high, with a mean of 0.919. Our allozyme results support the hypothesis that L. tsingtauense is a derivative species of the progenitor L. distichum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium lancifolium , the tiger lily, constitutes a polyploid complex with both diploids (reproduced by seeds and bulbils) and triploids (propagated exclusively via bulbils). An autopolyploid origin for the triploid forms has been previously suggested based on classical cytogenetics, chromosome mapping techniques, ecological data, and geographic distribution in their native range (Korea and the Japanese Tsushima Island). Using 13 allozyme loci, we comparatively assessed clonal structure and levels of genetic diversity in four diploid and 11 triploid populations in South Korea to test the autopolyploid origin of the triploid cytotype and to infer which seedling recruitment strategy is operating within the diploid populations. We also employed ecological niche modeling and multivariate analysis to determine whether triploids of L. lancifolium occupy different and broader niches to those of diploids in Korea and Tsushima Island. The diploids harbored higher levels of within-population genetic diversity than triploids, and allele profiles found in triploids were exactly subsets of those in diploids. Repeated seedling recruitment was inferred for the diploids, whereas all the studied triploid populations were monoclonal since there is no seedling (sexual) recruitment. Although we found no niche divergence between cytotypes of L. lancifolium , the triploids have a broader niche breadth. Genetic data further confirm the autotriploid origin of L. lancifolium , and the lack of a clear, strong evidence for niche divergence between cytotypes of L. lancifolium supports the view that ecological differentiation is not a pre-requisite for the establishment of new polyploid lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main Korean mountain range that stretches from north to south (the Baekdudaegan) has been suggested to harbor an important glacial refugium for boreal and temperate plant species. Under this scenario, we expect high levels of within-population genetic variation and low or moderate degree of among-population differentiation within these species. To test this hypothesis, we examined clonal diversity and levels of allozyme diversity in the boreal Iris odaesanensis and in its temperate congener Iris rossii. In addition, we compiled data on boreal and temperate species whose distribution in the Korean Peninsula is mostly centered in the Baekdudaegan to determine if there is a common pattern. We found lower clonal diversity in I. odaesanensis compared to I. rossii. Both studied species maintained high levels of genetic variation as well as a moderate genetic differentiation ( %P = 52.5 and 47.5, A = 1.70 and 1.58, H = 0.158 and 0.150, and F = 0.196 and 0.189 for I. odaesanensis and I. rossii, respectively), in line with what occurs for the species distributed on the Baekdudaegan ( n = 14, %P = 46.7, A = 1.73, H = 0.161, and F = 0.190). This study strongly suggests that the Baekdudaegan may have acted as a refugium for boreal and temperate species, in a similar way to the southern Appalachians in the eastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative studies on clonal and genetic structure between ecologically contrasting congeners may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms promoting the maintenance of genetic diversity in clonal plant species. Polygonatum stenophyllum has long rhizomes (ca. 30–40cm long) and largely occurs on sandy soils in open river banks, whereas its congener Polygonatum inflatum has short ones (ca. 5–10cm long) and occurs on humic soils under deciduous forests. Using 21 allozyme loci, we comparatively assessed levels of clonal and genetic diversity in the 2 clonal species. Seven populations of P. stenophyllum consisted of single clones, and levels of within-population clonal and genetic variation were considerably lower than those of P. inflatum. However, when samples were pooled, P. stenophyllum harbored higher genetic variation than P. inflatum, which is due to higher among-population genetic differentiation in the former species compared with the latter (FST = 0.636 vs. FST = 0.165). Our data suggest that populations of P. stenophyllum have been mainly founded by a single seed or rhizome (through river water) or by a few seeds, whereas populations of P. inflatum would have been established through multiple, repeated seedling recruitment. Moderate levels of genetic diversity in a population of P. stenophyllum located at the foot of the Baekdudaegan Mountains and in all the populations of P. inflatum are consistent with the previous hypothesis that these mountains served as a glacial refugium for many boreal species of the Korean Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The main Korean mountain range (the so-called "Baekdudaegan"), which stretches from north to south across most of the Peninsula, has been thought to harbor glacial refugia for boreal and temperate plant species, where they likely found relatively stable habitats and maintained large population sizes. Under this scenario, high levels of genetic variation for plant populations can be anticipated. To test this hypothesis, we examined levels of allozyme diversity in the boreal herb Lilium distichum, which in Korea occurs largely along the Baekdudaegan and in its closely related congener L. tsingtauense, a temperate species that can occur from the coastal islands to high-altitude mountains in the Baekdudaegan. As expected, L. distichum harbored high levels of genetic variation within populations, and we found significant correlations between percentage of polymorphic loci (and allelic richness) and elevation. For L. tsingtauense we found moderate genetic variation, with its populations showing a significantly positive correlation between intra-population expected heterozygosity and elevation. Our results suggest that populations/species that occur within or near the main ridge of the Baekdudaegan probably endured the glacial periods in macrorefugia, whereas those populations/species located at low elevations (far away from mid- and high-elevation mountains) did it in microrefugia. Palaeodistribution modelling is in agreement with genetic data, indicating that the Baekdudaegan was suitable habitat for both species during the glacial (LGM) and interglacial periods (like the present). This study as well as the data from other studies compiled here provides strong evidence that the Baekdudaegan was a major refugial area for the East Asian flora throughout the Quaternary and, thus, meriting high priority for conservation biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The warm-temperate vegetation of Korea, currently limited to southern coastal areas, shifted during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) towards glacial refugia, putatively located in southern Japan. We hypothesized two scenarios of post-glacial re-colonization of warm-temperate species in relation to current levels of genetic diversity within their populations. If extant Korean populations originated from a single source (a single glacial refugium), we expect significantly lower levels of genetic diversity relative to those from Japan due to founder effects. Alternatively, if they were derived from multiple source populations, levels of genetic diversity within Korean populations will not be significantly reduced compared to those of Japanese ones. To test which of these scenarios is more likely, we investigated the patterns of genetic diversity in 14 populations (seven from southern Korea and seven from southern Japan) of the broad-leaved evergreen tree Machilus thunbergii, employing 11 allozyme loci. High levels of genetic variation in M. thunbergii were found both in southern Korea and southern Japan, with a considerable genetic homogeneity not only between the two regions but also between populations within the two regions. These results suggest a pattern of re-colonization after the LGM fitting the second scenario (immigration from multiple refugia), probably through multiple waves and/or with large founder populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cremastra appendiculata var. variabilis is a self-compatible, insect-pollinated, terrestrial orchid that is a typical member of the warm-temperate vegetation in the Korean Peninsula. Here we examine levels and partitioning of allozyme diversity (22 loci) in 12 populations of this orchid to gain insight into its genetic structure and post-glacial colonization history in Korea. It harboured considerably higher levels of genetic variation within populations (% P = 48.1, A = 1.70 and He = 0.217) and lower degree of differentiation among populations ( FST = 0.068) than those typical of allozyme-based studies in other terrestrial orchid species. These patterns suggest that extant populations were derived from multiple source populations (i.e. from multiple glacial refugia), although further studies are needed to confirm this scenario. In addition to population history, traits such as high potential of seed dispersal, a mixed mating system and its occurrence in large and continuous populations would have contributed to the current levels and distribution of genetic diversity in Korean populations of C. appendiculata var. variabilis. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173, 721-732. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Drosera peltata var. nipponica, an element of the East Asia warm-temperate vegetation, and D. rotundifolia, a widely distributed boreal species, reach one of their northernmost and southernmost limits, respectively, on the Korean Peninsula. Because the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM)-Holocene dynamics of warm-temperate and boreal paleovegetation differed considerably on the Peninsula, the population history of these two sundews is expected to be different, leaving differential imprints in their genetic structure. * Methods: We investigated population genetic structure of D. peltata var. nipponica and D. rotundifolia in South Korea (10 populations of each for 20 allozyme loci) to infer their population history in this region. In addition, we compared the genetic variation harbored in the two sundews to those reported for other carnivorous and wetland plants. * Key results: Drosera peltata var. nipponica showed no genetic diversity, whereas D. rotundifolia exhibited extremely low within-population variation (He = 0.005) and considerable among-population divergence (FST = 0.817). * Conclusions: Our results suggest that extant populations of D. peltata var. nipponica likely originated from a single ancestral population from southern Japan or southern China through postglacial dispersal. On the contrary, D. rotundifolia probably survived the LGM in situ, with extant populations derived from either one or several small source populations. We argue that separate conservation strategies should be employed, given that the two taxa have different ecological and demographic traits and harbor different levels of genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dichoropetalum schottii is a species that lives at low to medium altitudes in the southern European mountain ranges, from the Balkans (N Greece) to the Pyrenees. Its legal protection status is not homogeneous along its distribution range, as only some of its edge populations, in the Pyrenees, are protected. Here, by means of allozyme electro-phoresis, we examine the genetic variability of populations representing four different regions within its distribution area (Pyrenees, Maritime Alps, Karst Plateau in the SW Slovenia-NE Italy border region, and Pindus Mountains in Greece). The species as a whole exhibits relatively high levels of genetic diversity, partly due to the occurrence of several duplications among the loci surveyed. Genetic differentiation among populations and regions was low, which could be interpreted as the result of recent allopatric fragmentation. We conclude that the species as a whole is not threatened, and that the currently protected populations are, paradoxically, the least valuable from the genetic point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally believed that the members of Ophioglossaceae have subterranean, potentially bisexual gametophytes, which favor intragametophytic selfing. In Ophioglossaceae, previous allozyme studies revealed substantial inbreeding within Botrychium species and Mankyua chejuense. However, little is known about the mating system in species of the genus Ophioglossum. Molecular marker analyses can provide insights into the relative occurrence of selfing versus cross-fertilization in the species of Ophioglossum. We investigated allozyme variation in 8 Korean populations of the homosporous fern Ophioglossum vulgatum to infer its mating system and to get some insight into the population-establishment history in South Korea. We detected homozygous genotypes for alternative alleles at several loci, which suggest the occurrence of intragametophytic self-fertilization. Populations harbor low within-population variation (% P = 7.2, A = 1.08, and He = 0.026) and a high among-population differentiation (FST = 0.733). This, together with the finding that alternative alleles were fixed at several loci, suggests that the number and size of populations of O. vulgatum might have been severely reduced during the last glaciation (i.e., due to its in situ persistence in small, isolated refugia). The combined effects of severe random genetic drift and high rates of intragametophytic selfing are likely responsible for the genetic structure displayed by this homosporous fern. Its low levels of genetic diversity in South Korea justify the implementation of some conservation measures to ensure its long-term preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is thought that the warm-temperate vegetation of Korea, which at present is limited to southern coastal areas, was founded by individuals from glacial refugia putatively located in southern Japan and/or southern China. Two scenarios of postglacial recolonization can be hypothesized: 1) extant Korean populations are derived from multiple source populations or, 2) they originated from a single source. To test which of these scenarios is more likely, we surveyed patterns of genetic diversity in 3 congeneric terrestrial orchids that are typical of Korean warm-temperate vegetation, Calanthe discolor, C. sieboldii, and C. reflexa. In total, we studied 14 populations with 17 allozyme loci. To complement the study, we also tested the 2 scenarios with previous population-genetics data reported for other warm-temperate plant species native to Korea. Levels of genetic variation in the 3 Calanthe species were substantially higher than those typical of allozyme-based studies in other terrestrial orchid species, which clearly suggest a pattern of postglacial recolonization fitting the first scenario. However, previous studies with native Korean species showed equivocal patterns and suggest conflicting scenarios. The Calanthe species studied here and the previous genetic surveys conducted on other species indicate that the establishment of contemporary warm-temperate vegetation in Korea has been diverse since deglaciation. From a conservation perspective, C. reflexa should be regarded as endangered in Korea, needing special attention to preserve its current genetic diversity and to prevent further decreases in population sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The warm-temperate vegetation of Korea, currently limited to southern coastal areas, shifted southward during the Last Glacial Maximum towards glacial refugia putatively located in southern Japan and/or southern China. We hypothesized two scenarios of post-glacial re-colonization of warm-temperate species: (i) that extant Korean populations originated from a single source or (ii) that they are derived from multiple source populations. To test which of these scenarios is more likely, we investigated the patterns of genetic diversity in 16 populations of the warm-temperate terrestrial orchid Bletilla striata, employing 20 allozyme loci. Levels of genetic variation in B. striata were substantially lower than those reported in most other terrestrial orchids. However, the degree of genetic differentiation among populations was moderate. These results suggest a pattern of post-glacial re-colonization fitting the first scenario. Both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies are suggested to preserve the genetic variation of B. striata in Korea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Low levels of genetic diversity in endemic species are generally attributable to the small size of their populations. This lack of genetic variability will, predictably, be more evident in those species that occur in only one or a very few localities with a total population consisting of a few dozen individuals, or sometimes fewer (i.e. 'extremely narrow endemics', ENEs). We used allozyme electrophoresis to survey the genetic variability of Coristospermum huteri, an endemic species from the island of Majorca (Balearic Islands, W. Mediterranean Basin) with a single natural population of about 100 individuals. As expected, allozyme variability was virtually nil for this species ( P = 8.3 %, A = 1.08, H = 0.022), which seems to be a general rule for ENEs (mean H = 0.057). A founder effect associated with a dispersal event from the continent is probably behind the lack of genetic diversity in this highly threatened species. Preservation of the mountain summit where the plant is found (Puig Major) is essential for the survival of C. huteri, and would also guarantee the conservation of other ENEs and rare and threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Glandora oleifoliais one of the most narrowly restricted endemics of the Iberian Peninsula. It occurs in two locations, separated by 5 km in the south-eastern Pyrenees. The species is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the Spanish Red List, and it is legally protected in Catalonia. Aims:To study the genetic diversity and population structure, and to review the conservation status and the threats to the survival of this species. Methods:The genetic variation of the two extant subpopulations was surveyed by means of allozymes and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Results:Both markers indicated depleted levels of genetic variability forG. oleifolia, in agreement with the expectation for endemic species, and low genetic divergence among the two subpopulations (below 10% with the two nuclear markers). Conclusions:The evolutionary history of this palaeoendemic species – repeated population bottlenecks and/or local extinction of populations during the glacial periods of the Quaternary – could have enhanced the loss of its genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Korean Peninsula, the current distribution of the warm-temperate and subtropical vegetation (including many homosporous ferns) is limited to southern coastal areas. Paleoecological data suggest that during the Last Glacial Maximum this vegetation retreated to glacial refugia putatively located in southern Japan and/or southern China, followed by a post-glacial recolonization. Two broad scenarios of post-glacial recolonization could be hypothesized: extant Korean populations are derived from multiple source populations (i.e., from multiple refugia); alternatively, they originate from a single refugium. To test which of these scenarios is more likely, we surveyed patterns of genetic diversity in eight (n = 307) populations of Cyrtomium falcatum from southern Korea. We found extremely low levels of allozyme variation within populations coupled with high among-population differentiation. These data best support the second hypothesis, and indicate that the current genetic diversity may be a consequence of post-glacial long-distance dispersal events and subsequent founder effects. In addition, restricted gene flow among the discontinuous populations of C. falcatum in southern Korea has likely contributed to the high degree of among-population genetic differentiation. From a conservation perspective, several populations should be targeted for both in situ and ex situ conservation, as C. falcatum exhibits a high degree of divergence among populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that the main Korean mountain ranges provided many refugia for boreal plant species, where they likely found relatively stable habitats and maintained large population sizes. Under this scenario, high levels of genetic variation and low degree of differentiation among populations within these species were anticipated. To test this hypothesis, we examined levels of allozyme diversity (17 loci) in 12 populations of the common terrestrial montane orchid Oreorchis patens from the main ranges in Korea and 4 populations of its rare congener O. coreana, which is restricted to the Korean island of Jeju. As expected, O. patens harbored high levels of genetic variation within populations (%P = 62.8, A = 1.96, Ho = 0.211, and He = 0.237). Allele frequency differences among populations were low (FST = 0.075), and the species also displayed a significant correlation between pairwise genetic differentiation and geographical distance. All these results suggest that extant populations were founded by multiple genetically diverse individuals and that most of this initial diversity would have been maintained in the stable mountainous conditions during Quaternary climatic oscillations. In contrast, we were unable to detect any genetic diversity in O. coreana, suggesting that contemporary populations likely originated from a single ancestral source population that had lost all genetic variability. From a long-term conservation genetics perspective, extreme rarity and small population sizes, coupled with its apparent genetic uniformity, place O. coreana at a high risk of extinction. Thus, both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts should be of particular importance for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Natural hybridization can be a serious threat to rare and endangered species because of the risk of extensive genetic swamping or assimilation. Hybridization, however, can be beneficial for rare species as it increases their genetic diversity, which in turn may improve their fitness and confer adaptive potential. Centaurea podospermifolia is a narrowly endemic, threatened, tetraploid species occurring only in two mountain ranges of northeastern Spain. This species may produce a highly unstable homoploid hybrid (Centaurea x loscosii) with the more widespread Centaurea cephalariifolia. Allozymes and nuclear DNA sequences (ETS and Agt1) were used to test whether C. podospermifolia populations have undergone hybridization or introgression with C. cephalariifolia, which should have left an imprint in the genetic structure of the former. Nuclear DNA sequencing indicates that all the populations from one mountain range (the Ports Massif) are introgressed, whereas those from the second (the Cardó Range) should be regarded as ‘pure’. Genetic variability detected in C. podospermifolia is low for a tetraploid species, and the occurrence of population bottlenecks may have played a role in this lack of diversity. Populations from the Ports are more variable than those from Cardó, the lower genetic variability observed for Cardó populations being unequivocally related to a lack of genetic material from C. cephalariifolia. We suggest that a management plan for C. podospermifolia should address the conservation of both the pure-bred and the introgressed populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to identify the 'centres of endemism' of the Chinese spermatophyte flora in order to indirectly detect the locations of past glacial refugia. The role of these areas as places for plant survival ('plant museums') and/or areas for plant evolution and speciation ('plant cradles') was also assessed. China. Distribution patterns of 555 plant endemic taxa, taken as a representative sample of the Chinese endemic flora, were mapped on a 1° × 1° latitude/longitude grid. For each grid cell, species richness (total count of species) and weighted richness (down-weighting each species by the inverse of its range) were calculated. Grid cells within the top 5% of highest values of weighted richness were considered centres of endemism. Based on available information, all plant taxa included in this study were classified into palaeoendemics and neoendemics, and their distributional patterns were represented separately. Twenty areas of endemism were identified in central and southern China, roughly corresponding to mountain ranges, including the Hengduan and Daxue Mountains, the Yungui Plateau, central China Mountains, the Nanling Mountains, eastern China Mountains, and Hainan and Taiwan. Although almost all centres of endemism contained both palaeoendemic and neoendemic taxa, considerable differences in their respective numbers were recorded, with the majority of neoendemics on the eastern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau (Hengduan Mountains sensu lato) but more palaeoendemics towards the east. Owing to their varied topography, the mountainous regions of central and southern China have provided long-term stable habitats, which allowed palaeoendemics to persist and facilitated the process of speciation. Contrasting patterns between the palaeoendemics and neoendemics within refugia might be attributable to the geological and tectonic history of specific areas. The eastern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau clearly constitutes the 'evolutionary front' of China, probably as a result of the uninterrupted uplift of the plateau since the late Neogene. In contrast, the tectonic stability of central and southern China during the Tertiary may have facilitated the persistence of relict plant lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extremely rare Aquilegia paui (Ranunculaceae) was described in 1920 but was not found again until 1999, when it was discovered in the Parc Natural dels Ports in Tarragona Province, Spain. This species had been confused with the widespread A. vulgaris and consequently its taxonomic and conservation status had been misinterpreted. Based on the limited range of A. paui and the level of disturbance of its habitat we recommend that it is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We summarize the conservation actions available for such extremely narrow endemic plant species and make appropriate recommendations for the conservation of A. paui. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The area encompassing Southern China and North Vietnam is highlighted by very high levels of biodiversity but also exceptional threats. Guangxi Province was selected as one of the most representative regions within this area to detect biodiversity hotspots for conservation and to evaluate protection effectiveness of present reserve network using herbarium records. Collection data from 6,506 vascular plant species occurring in the province (548 of these are endemic to the province) were used to explore patterns of biodiversity at 10-minute grid resolution, with the main goal of identifying the occurrence of centers of species richness and endemism. Up to eight distinct hotspots, mainly in mountain areas, were recognized, six based on the combination of species richness and endemism, one on richness only and one on endemics only. Of these, three are specific to limestone areas while the remaining five are located in acid soil regions. Most of centers of species richness and endemism are protected by the current reserve network, although several gaps can be recognized. This research can provide an overview of approaches to setting biodiversity conservation priorities and of strategies for filling up gaps in the reserve network of similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aquilegia paui is a narrow endemic species from the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula. It has a reduced number of populations in the limestone mountain massif of Els Ports. Genetic diversity was evaluated through allozyme electrophoresis in this rare columbine, together with its widespread congener Aquilegia vulgaris. Low levels of genetic diversity were detected in both taxa, especially for A. paui. Genetic identity between the two columbines was particularly high (I = 0.990), and the allele pool of A. paui is a subset of that of its widespread congener (with the exception of a low-frequency allele that was only detected in one population of A. paui). A. paui may have recently evolved from nearby populations of A. vulgaris. Speciation of this taxon, which may still be ongoing, seems to be driven by ecological differentiation, as generally occurred for the European columbines as well as in many Mediterranean endemic species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It has been suggested that the eastern Asian temperate flora have responded to Quaternary climatic changes in a different way compared with temperate plants in Europe and Northern America. However, knowledge about their phylogeographic structure and evolutionary history is still limited. In this study we investigated mitochondrial DNA variation in 17 populations of Pinus kwangtungensis, a five-needled pine inhabiting in isolated mountains of southern China and northern Vietnam. A total of ten mitochondrial haplotypes (mitotypes) were characterized by the polymorphisms of two fragments ( cox-1-2 and nad7 intron1), and total genetic diversity was high ( hT = 0.847). The construction of phylogenetic relationships of the ten mitotypes detected three major, well-distinct clades, largely corresponding to four population groups identified by SAMOVA analysis. SAMOVA also indicated that most genetic variance should be attributed to among-group differentiation ( FCT = 0.868), consistent with the substantial genetic structure found within P. kwangtungensis ( GST = 0.751). The genetic distances of P. kwangtungensis weakly but significantly correlated with geographical distances ( R = 0.228, P = 0.03), revealing a pattern of isolation-by-distance. Demographic analysis did not detect any bottleneck events in the recent history of P. kwangtungensis. These results clearly suggested that there were three major refugia for this montane temperate conifer during warm stages (along with other minor refugia), and that the species would have tracked Quaternary climatic changes by expanding to nearby lowlands in the glacial periods, and by retreating to mountaintops (the refugia) during interglacial warmer stages, experiencing fragmentation and isolation among refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three Gorges region, located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in central China, is considered one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in China. It harbours more than 6000 plant species, over 500 terrestrial vertebrates, and about 160 species of fish. In addition to this taxonomic richness, the region is home to many endemic and threatened taxa, which may be the result of its role as a glacial refuge. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam may have serious consequences for this biodiversity. The flooding of more than 600 km2 together with massive population resettlement will involve the loss and/or fragmentation of many terrestrial habitats in the reservoir area, affecting both plant and animal species. Furthermore, negative effects on downstream terrestrial biodiversity are expected due to the regression of floodplains and riparian wetlands after the dam is completed. The alteration of river flow caused by the dam will also have a severe impact on freshwater biodiversity throughout the whole Yangtze River system, especially on migratory fish but also on other aquatic life, such as the emblematic Yangtze River dolphin. The conservation measures implemented by the authorities, although valuable, may well be insufficient to mitigate the negative effects of the dam on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allozyme diversity was evaluated in four closely-related taxa of the Delphinium series Fissa distributed throughout the Western Mediterranean area. All are considered threatened plants. Delphinium bolosii and Delphinium mansanetianum are narrowly endemic to the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, whereas Delphinium fissum ssp. sordidum is found in a few populations across the Peninsula. Delphinium fissum ssp. fissum is more widely distributed but often in small and isolated populations. In this group, Delphinium bolosii is dysploid (2 n = 18) whereas the other taxa are diploid (2 n = 16). A total of 12 populations were surveyed, including all known locations for D. bolosii, D. mansanetianum, and D. fissum ssp. sordidum. Eleven enzyme systems were assayed and 15 loci were resolved. Markedly depauperate values for genetic diversity were obtained for D. mansanetianum ( He = 0.013) and D. fissum ssp. sordidum ( He = 0.044). The estimates for D. fissum ssp. fissum ( He = 0.071) were below the values expected for widespread species. Small population size and marginal distribution have probably contributed to the low variability observed in this group. By contrast, D. bolosii exhibited comparatively larger populations and greater genetic diversity ( He = 0.138). We suggest that, apart from population size and local adaptation, genetic diversity during speciation may have been promoted by dysploidy through genomic recombination. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 92, 773–784. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allozyme electrophoresis was conducted to survey the levels and distribution of genetic diversity in the tetraploid perennial larkspur Delphinium montanum (Ranunculaceae), which is endemic to the eastern Pyrenees of Spain and France and considered to be endangered. Seven populations were sampled, resolving 14 putative enzymatic loci belonging to eight enzymes. Banding patterns stained in gels revealed several enzymatic duplications attributable to autotetraploidy, such as the presence of both balanced and unbalanced heterozygotes and the lack of fixed heterozygosity. However, variability in D. montanum ( P = 23.8%, A = 1.48, and He = 0.082) was lower than that expected for an autotetraploid species. This, in addition to the scarcity of loci showing three or four different alleles, could indicate that this species has suffered genetic erosion through population bottlenecks, or, alternatively, that it is undergoing diploidization. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 211–222. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The relationship between individual heretozygosity and fitness was explored in the perennial larkspur Delphinium bolosii (Ranunculaceae), an endangered species endemic to Catalonia (North-Eastern Spain), as a part of several studies prior to designing a programme for the reintroduction of this species in a locality where it has been extinct for approximately one century. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to quantify the levels of heterozygosity at nearly to one hundred surveyed individuals in two extant populations. At the same time, eight parameters of vegetative and reproductive fitness were measured. A principal component analysis reduced the original fitness variables to three uncorrelated principal components, two associated with the maternal plant and the other one with the offspring. However, none of the components were significantly correlated with heterozygosity. The low number of variable allozyme markers and the likely influence of ecological factors could be responsible for the lack of correlation between individual heterozygosity and fitness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Erodium rupestre (Geraniaceae) is a taxon endemic to north-eastern Spain which has experienced significant changes in taxonomy and chorology. When first described, its distribution area was limited to Montserrat, a mountain near Barcelona, although later several populations from the pre-Pyrenean range were attributed to E. rupestre. However, some authors have assigned these as belonging to a distinct taxon. Starch gel electrophoresis has been used to resolve the taxonomic circumscription of the pre-Pyrenean populations and to evaluate the levels of genetic diversity and the population structure, taking into account all the populations studied (pre-Pyrenean and Montserrat mountain). Levels of genetic variation shown by E. rupestre s.l. are extremely scarce (P =7.1%, A =1.07, and H e =0.025), rather lower than those expected for endemic species. Moderate to high levels of inbreeding were detected, probably as a consequence of the population''s genetic structuring (geitonogamy and biparental inbreeding). Genetic identity between the two presumable taxa is very high (I =0.973), clearly suggesting that the two taxa form a single species. However, according to the allelic distributions among populations, the Montserrat population on the mountain itself may represent the first step of an allopatric speciation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Starch gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate the allozyme diversity, population structure, and taxonomic relationships of two closely related taxa endemic to the Iberian Peninsula: Petrocoptis montsicciana O. Bolòs & Rivas Martínez, restricted to the pre-Pyrenean belt of Catalonia and Aragon, and Petrocoptis pardoi Pau, endemic to the Bergantes River basin (Autonomous Community of Valencia). Seven populations of the two species were sampled, and 16 interpretable loci were found. Considerable polymorphism, more than expected in endemic species, was detected in both taxa. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P) when the most common allele had a frequency of <0.95, the mean number of alleles per locus (A), and the expected panmictic heterozygosity (H[sub e] ) were slightly higher in P. montsicciana (P = 70.3, A = 2.2 and H[sub e] = 0.239) than in P. pardoi (P = 56.3, A = 1.9 and H[sub e] = 0.192). Strong divergence between populations was found in both species (G[sub ST] = 0.376 in P. montsicciana and G[sub ST] = 0.354 in P. pardoi) because of the geographic isolation of populations and limited seed and pollen dispersal. Most loci showed deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, probably as a consequence of genetic substructuring of populations. Low germination and renewal rates, and some anthropogenic activities such as road work, climbing, and massive collection are the main threats to these species.Key words: Petrocoptis montsicciana, Petrocoptis pardoi, Caryophyllaceae, allozyme electrophoresis, genetic diversity, conservation, endemic species.Nous avons utilisé l'électrophorèse sur gels d'amidon pour évaluer la diversité allozymique, la structure des populations et les rapports taxonomiques de deux taxons étroitement apparentés endémiques de la péninsule ibérique: le Petrocoptis montsicciana O. Bolòs & Rivas Martínez, limité à la ceinture pré-pyrénéenne de la Catalogne et l'Aragon, et le Petrocoptis pardoi Pau, endémique du bassin de la rivière Bergantes (Pays Valencien). Sept populations des deux espèces ont été échantillonnées et 16 loci interprétables ont été décelés. Un polymorphisme plus grand que celui attendu chez une espèce endémique a été trouvé dans les deux taxons. Le pourcentage de loci polymorphiques (P) lorsque l'allèle le plus commun a une fréquence <0,95, le nombre moyen d'allèles par locus (A), et l'hétérozygocité panmictic attendue (H[sub e] ) sont un peu plus élevé chez le P. montsicciana (P = 70,3, A = 2,2 et H[sub e] = 0,239) que chez le P. pardoi (P = 56,3, A = 1,9 and H[sub e] = 0,192). Une forte divergence entre les populations a été trouvée chez les deux espèces (G[sub ST] = 0,376 chez P. montsicciana et G[sub ST] = 0,354 chez le P. pardoi), à cause de l'isolement géographique des populations et la limitation dans la dispersion des graines et du pollen. La plupart des loci montraient des écarts de l'équilibre de Hardy-Weinberg, probablement comme une conséquence de la sous-structuration génétique des populations. Les faibles taux de germination et de renouvellement, ainsi que des activités anthropiques, telles que les travaux routiers, l'escalade et la récolte massive sont les menaces principales pour ces espèces.Mots clés : Petrocoptis montsicciana, Petrocoptis pardoi, Caryophyllaceae, électrophorèse d'alloenzymes, diversité génétique, conservation, espèces endémiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tortula atrovirens (Sm.) Lindb. is an important component of biological soil crusts and possesses an extraordinary tolerance against desiccation in dryland habitats. However, knowledge of the organelle genome of this desiccation-tolerant (DT) moss is still lacking. Here, we assembled the first reported Tortula organelle genome and conducted a comprehensive analysis within the Pottiaceae family. T. atrovirens exhibited the second largest chloroplast genome (129,646 bp) within the Pottiaceae, whereas its mitogenome (105,877 bp) and those of other mosses were smaller in size compared to other land plants. The chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of T. atrovirens were characterized by the expansion of IR boundaries and the absence of homologous recombination-mediated by large repeats. A total of 57 RNA editing sites were detected through mapping RNA-seq data. Moreover, the gene content and order were highly conserved among the Pottiaceae organelle genomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that bryophytes are paraphyletic, with their three lineages (hornworts, mosses, and liverworts) and vascular plants forming successive sister clades. Timmiella anomala is clearly separated from the monophyletic Pottiaceae, and T. atrovirens is closely related to Syntrichia filaris within the Pottioideae. In addition, we detected four hypervariable regions for candidate-molecular markers. Our findings provide valuable insights into the organelle genomes of T. atrovirens and the evolutionary relationships within the Pottiaceae family, facilitating future discovery of DT genetic resources from bryophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argyranthemum thalassophilum, Asparagus nesiotes subsp. nesiotes and Euphorbia anachoreta are three threatened taxa that are endemic to the Selvagens Islands, a very isolated archipelago of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. As a part of a conservation project for the three taxa, we conducted fieldwork that included detailed censuses and identification of threatening factors, which ultimately allowed the assessment of their IUCN Red List status. The three species should be categorized as Endangered under the criterion D, as for all the cases there are fewer than 250 mature individuals (79, 119, and 58 for Argyranthemum thalassophilum, Asparagus nesiotes subsp. nesiotes and Euphorbia anachoreta, respectively). In spite of the fact that A. thalassophilum does not show the lowest census size, this taxon should be regarded as the most threatened because it is the only one showing no regeneration (i.e. a total lack of seedings and/or juveniles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

iNaturalist defines itself as an "online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature" and it is likely one of the largest citizen science web portals in the world, as every year millions of observations across thousands of species are gathered and collectively compiled by an engaged community of nearly 3 million users (November 2023). The strengths and potentialities that explain the success of the platform are reviewed and include, among others, its usability and low technical requirements, immediacy, open-access, the possibility of interacting with other users, artificial-intelligence-aided identification, versatility and automatic incorporation of the validated records to GBIF. iNaturalist has, however, features that scientists need to carefully consider when using it for their research, making sure that the quality of observations does not limit or hinder its usefulness in plant research. While these are identified (e.g., the lack of representative photographs for many observations or the relatively frequent identification errors), we provide some suggestions to overcome them and, by doing so, improve the use and add value to iNaturalist for plant research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disjunct distribution is a key issue in biogeography and ecology, but it is often difficult to determine the relative roles of dispersal vs. vicariance in disjunctions. We studied the phylogeographic pattern of the monotypic Conandron ramondioides (Gesneriaceae), which shows Sino‐Japanese disjunctions, with ddRAD sequencing based on a comprehensive sampling of 11 populations from mainland China, Taiwan Island, and Japan. We found a very high degree of genetic differentiation among these three regions, with very limited gene flow and a clear Isolation by Distance pattern. Mainland China and Japan clades diverged first from a widespread ancestral population in the middle Miocene, followed by a later divergence between mainland China and Taiwan Island clades in the early Pliocene. Three current groups have survived in various glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum, and experienced contraction and/or bottlenecks since their divergence during Quaternary glacial cycles, with strong niche divergence between mainland China + Japan and Taiwan Island ranges. Thus, we verified a predominant role of vicariance in the current disjunction of the monotypic genus Conandron. The sharp phylogenetic separation, ecological niche divergence among these three groups, and the great number of private alleles in all populations sampled indicated a considerable time of independent evolution, and suggests the need for a taxonomic survey to detect potentially overlooked taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains of Anatolia are one of the main Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots and their richness in endemic species amounts for 30% of the flora. Two main factors may account for this high diversity: the complex orography and its role as refugia during past glaciations. We have investigated seven narrow endemics of Centaurea subsection Phalolepis from Anatolia by means of microsatellites and ecological niche modelling (ENM), in order to analyse genetic polymorphisms and getting insights into their speciation. Despite being narrow endemics, all the studied species show moderate to high SSR genetic diversity. Populations are genetically isolated, but exchange of genes probably occurred at glacial maxima (likely through the Anatolian mountain arches as suggested by the ENM). The lack of correlation between genetic clusters and (morpho) species is interpreted as a result of allopatric diversification on the basis of a shared gene pool. As suggested in a former study in Greece, post-glacial isolation in mountains would be the main driver of diversification in these plants; mountains of Anatolia would have acted as plant refugia, allowing the maintenance of high genetic diversity. Ancient gene flow between taxa that became sympatric during glaciations may also have contributed to the high levels of genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A two-step hybrid speciation event is involved in the origin of current taxa of Notopterygium. • Population genomics and ecological niche analysis confirmed hybridization. • Regional climate changes may have facilitated the occurrence of hybrid speciation. • Niche divergence processes may have aided the reproductive isolation among hybrid species. Hybridization is recognized as a major force in species evolution and biodiversity formation, generally leading to the origin and differentiation of new species. Multiple hybridization events cannot easily be reconstructed, yet they offer the potential to study a number of evolutionary processes. Here, we used nuclear expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat and large-scale single nucleotide polymorphism variation data, combined with niche analysis, to investigate the putative independent hybridization events in Notopterygium , a group of perennial herb plants endemic to China. Population genomic analysis indicated that the four studied species are genetically well-delimited and that N. forrestii and N. oviforme have originated by hybridization. According to Approximate Bayesian Computation, the best-fit model involved the formation of N. forrestii from the crossing of N. franchetii and N. incisum , with N. forrestii further backcrossing to N. franchetii to form N. oviforme. The niche analyses indicated that niche divergence [likely triggered by the regional climate changes, particularly the intensification of East Asian winter monsoon, and tectonic movements (affecting both Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Qinling Mountains)] may have promoted and maintained the reproductive isolation among hybrid species. N. forrestii shows ecological specialization with respect to their parental species, whereas N. oviforme has completely shifted its niche. These results suggested that the climate and environmental factors together triggered the two-step hybridization of the East Asia herb plants. Our study also emphasizes the power of genome-wide SNPs for investigating suspected cases of hybridization, particularly unravelling old hybridization events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that levels of genetic diversity in species of the genus Cephalanthera covary with the breeding system. In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, the three self‐compatible terrestrial orchids Cephalanthera erecta, C. falcata and C. longibracteata flower synchronously in sympatric populations. The food‐deceptive C. falcata with bright yellow flowers is predominantly outcrossing, whereas autogamy is the dominant strategy in both C. erecta and C. longibracteata, whose white flowers do not open fully. We examined genetic diversity (by means of allozymes) of the three species in sympatric populations (600 × 600 m area) in the Yeonwhasan Provincial Park (YPP) and in non‐sympatric populations outside YPP, South Korea. Thirteen out of 20 putative loci were variable across the three species, but there was a complete lack of allozyme variation within each species and we found no evidence of hybridisation. Our results suggest that historical factors, i.e. the Quaternary climate oscillations, have played a major role in determining levels of genetic diversity in the three Cephalanthera species. The Korean populations of C. erecta (a warm‐temperate/temperate element) and C. falcata (a warm‐temperate element) may have been established by a single introduction from a genetically depauperate ancestral population, likely located outside the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, since C. longibracteata is a boreal/temperate element, it may have survived the Last Glacial Maximum in microrefugia located in low elevation regions within the Peninsula where it has been subjected to population bottlenecks reducing its genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine-scale genetic structure (FSGS) in plants occurs primarily through restricted seed dispersal. Analyses of FSGS have been used retrospectively to infer seed dispersal and other ecological processes. The spring ephemeral Megaleranthis saniculifolia , endemic to Korea, is insect-pollinated and has no special seed dispersal mechanism, and its seedling recruitment is quite low. Given these ecological and life-history traits, we expect that there would be significant FSGS in juveniles, which would persist into adult stage. Since M. saniculifolia is self-compatible and many adults produce 2–3 inflorescences, we expect considerable inbreeding. To test these predictions, we used allozyme-based Sp statistics to compare two undisturbed populations on Mt. Deogyu (DEO) and Mt. Taebaek (TAE), as well as between juveniles (J) and adults (A) stages. We also measured genetic diversity and inbreeding in each population. The two populations exhibited significant FSGS in both life stages. Although the strength of FSGS was reduced with increasing stage (J, Sp  = 0.0313; A, Sp  = 0.0178 in DEO and J, Sp  = 0.0502; A, Sp  = 0.0286 in TAE), differences in FSGS between stages and between populations were not significant. Within-population genetic diversity (mean %P  = 27.0, A  = 1.27, H e  = 0.116) was relatively low and comparable to reference values for both endemic and narrowly-distributed plant species. Genetic differentiation between sites, however, was high ( F ST  = 0.465), and the two populations exhibited a significant deficit of heterozygotes (mean F IS  = 0.289), primarily due to selfing and biparental inbreeding (effective selfing rate was ∼0.40). Our results revealed that the magnitude and spatial scale of FSGS in M. saniculifolia is strong and does not differ significantly with life-history stage. The strong FSGS, low within-population genetic variation, high between-population genetic differentiation, and high inbreeding are consistent with the species’ limited seed dispersal and a mixed mating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The so-called “Baekdudaegan” (BDDG), a mountain range that stretches along the Korean Peninsula, has been recently proposed as a major “southern” glacial refugium for boreal or temperate plant species based on palaeoecological and, especially, genetic data. Genetic studies comparing genetic variation between population occurring on the BDDG and more northern ones (i.e. in NE China and/or in Russian Far East) are, however, still too few to draw firm conclusions on the role of the BDDG as a refugium and a source for possible northward post-glacial recolonizations. In order to fill this gap, we selected a boreal/temperate herb, Lilium cernuum, and compared levels of allozyme-based genetic diversity of five populations from NE China with five populations from South Korea (home of its hypothesized refuge areas). As a complementary tool, we used the maximum entropy algorithm implemented in MaxEnt to infer the species’ potential distribution for the present time, which was projected to different past climate scenarios for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Permutation tests revealed that Korean populations harbored significantly higher levels of within-population genetic variation than those from NE China (expected heterozygosity = 0.173 vs. 0.095, respectively). Our results suggest that the lowered levels of genetic diversity in NE Chinese populations might be due to founder effects associated with post-glacial migration from southern regions. Congruent with genetic data, past distribution models showed higher probability of occurrence in southern ranges than in northern ones during the LGM. In addition, a positive correlation was detected between the expected heterozygosity and environmental LGM suitability. From a conservation perspective, our results further suggest that the southern populations in South Korea may be particularly worthy of protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased access to genome‐wide data provides new opportunities for plant conservation. However, information on neutral genetic diversity in a small number of marker loci can still be valuable because genomic data are not available to most rare plant species. In the hope of bridging the gap between conservation science and practice, we outline how conservation practitioners can more efficiently employ population genetic information in plant conservation. We first review the current knowledge about neutral genetic variation (NGV) and adaptive genetic variation (AGV) in seed plants, regarding both within‐population and among‐population components. We then introduce the estimates of among‐population genetic differentiation in quantitative traits (QST) and neutral markers (FST) to plant biology and summarize conservation applications derived from QST–FST comparisons, particularly on how to capture most AGV and NGV on both in‐situ and ex‐situ programs. Based on a review of published studies, we found that, on average, two and four populations would be needed for woody perennials (n = 18) to capture 99% of NGV and AGV, respectively, whereas four populations would be needed in case of herbaceous perennials (n = 14). On average, QST is about 3.6, 1.5, and 1.1 times greater than FST in woody plants, annuals, and herbaceous perennials, respectively. Hence, conservation and management policies or suggestions based solely on inference on FST could be misleading, particularly in woody species. To maximize the preservation of the maximum levels of both AGV and NGV, we suggest using maximum QST rather than average QST. We recommend conservation managers and practitioners consider this when formulating further conservation and restoration plans for plant species, particularly woody species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]