Genetic diversity of natural Cyclamen alpinum populations

Abstract

The focus of this study was Cyclamen alpinum (formerly C. trochopteranthum). Habitat fragmentation, environmental degradation, and overharvesting of tubers have exerted pressure on native populations of this valuable ornamental species. Although the entire Cyclamen genus is in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora-Appendix II (CITES II), no species has yet been red-listed. Estimating the level and distribution of genetic variation in populations of rare and endemic species is important for conserving genetic diversity within a species in the context of well-developed conservation strategies. Currently, DNA markers are the most effective means used to infer genetic variation at the molecular level in conservation genetics. In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was employed to assess the genetic diversity within and among 6 natural C. alpinum populations in the south and southwest of Turkey. A total of 190 loci were determined by using 15 polymorphic primers. Total genetic variation (H-T) was 0.27 +/- 0.02. A high proportion of this variation, 0.16 +/- 0.01 (59.26%), was due to within-population genetic variation (H-S). The genetic differentiation coefficient (G(ST)) was 0.41, and the level of gene flow (Nm) within a generation among the 6 populations studied was 0.73. As a result of these findings, we propose in situ combined with ex situ conservation of all C. alpinum populations. In addition, our results support prior recommendations to add C. alpinum to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List under the critically endangered (CR) category.