Genetic diversity and spatial structure in the rare, endemic orophyte Campanula pseudostenocodon Lac. (Apennines, Italy), as inferred from nuclear and plastid variation

Abstract

Analysis of ISSR markers revealed a large variation within samples, with polymorphic loci (P) ranging from 42 to 82%, in relation to population size. A consistent genetic differentiation (G_st = 0.207; Φ_st 29.71%) was found among the four examined populations. Based on changes in the chloroplast trn ^LEU intron, three distinct haplotypes were identified. Three out of the four populations were fixed for a single haplotype, with the two northernmost populations, which are geographically closest (65 km apart), sharing the same one. These findings suggest that a relatively long period of restricted gene flow originated the present-day spatial structure of C. pseudostenocodon. Application of both nuclear and organelle markers in estimating genetic diversity may be advisable in conservation studies, since they may reveal a peculiar local diversity.