Population genetic analysis illustrated a high gene diversity and genetic heterogeneity in Himalayacalamusfalconeri: a socio-economically important Indian temperate woody bamboo taxon.

Himalayacalamus falconeri is a socio-economically important temperate woody bamboo of north-western Himalayas, which has been investigated for genetic diversity and population genetic structure across distribution range in western Himalayas using genomic STMS markers. The calculated diversity measures have indicated a high gene diversity in H. falconeri at population level (Ho = 0.637; He = 0.714; Ar = 5.05). Despite the larger proportion of genetic variation (88%) confined within the populations, a moderate level of genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.121) was detected with relatively lower gene flow (Nm = 1.891). Furthermore, clustering and STRUCTURE analysis displayed high genetic heterogeneity in a metapopulation, where populations in both the spatially disconnected regions of the Uttarakhand state, Garhwal and Kumaon, were clustered in different groups. Whereas, nested sub clustering and between-population genetic admixing were not correlated to their physical proximity. Also, the Mantel test supports the isolation by distance model showing a significant correlation between genetic and horizontal geographic distances. For conservation implications, diverse hotspots with high allelic richness were also identified in both the geographical regions of Uttarakhand state. To the best of our knowledge, it is a pioneer study presenting in depth knowledge of metapopulation in any Indian temperate bamboo, which will be of paramount importance to the researchers, foresters, and policymakers for guiding future conservation decisions of H. falconeri in the Indian Himalayan Regions (IHRs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]