Population and genetic status of Primula kisoana var. kisoana, a local endemic of the northern Kanto region, Japan

• Published in: Plant species biology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Ohtani, M, Terauchi, H, Nishihiro, J, Ueno, S, Tsumura, Y, Washitani, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Science Pty 01.12.2005
• Subjects: chloroplast DNA; clonal structure; conservation; endangered species; genetic variation; genotype; loci; microsatellites; molecular sequence data; nucleotide sequences; polymorphism; population characteristics; Primula; Primula kisoana; Primula kisoana var. kisoana; seed set; Japan
• ISSN: 0913-557X; 1442-1984
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2005.00140.x

Primula kisoana var. kisoana is a clonal distylous herb restricted to the Mount Narukami area of Japan. In recent years, its population has severely declined and no seed set has been observed in the natural habitat. The current status of P. k. var. kisoana was investigated to develop an effective management plan for the species. Only seven local populations, comprising less than 600 ramets, were found. The large distances between compatible pairs of genets suggest that pollen limitation may be a major cause of regeneration failure. Only 10 multilocus genotypes were found for five microsatellite loci, each of which was likely to represent a unique genet. High levels of genetic heterozygosity and no significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected, indicating that random mating has occurred until recently. Microsatellite and chloroplast DNA polymorphism suggest that genetic differentiation has occurred between populations in different valleys. Measures to conserve the species, including the preservation of all local populations and the improvement of seed reproduction, should be applied immediately.