Abstract:

Primula interjacens Chen (Primulaceae) is a rare and narrow endemic species of central-south of Yunnan Province in China. This species consists of two varieties: P. interjacens var. interjacens known with only one population, and P. interjacens var. epilosa with two populations. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker was used to detect the genetic diversity of the three extant populations. We expected a low genetic diversity level, but our results revealed a high level of intraspecific genetic diversity (at population level: P = 59.75%, H_E = 0.236 8, and H_pop = 0.345 9; at species level: P =75.47%, H_T = 0.320 5, and H_sp = 0.461 8), probably resulting from floral heteromorphism and preferring outcrossing. A moderate level of genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on Nei’s genetic diversity analysis (26.13%) and Shannon’s diversity index (25.09%). Although P. interjacens var. interjacens and P. interjacens var. epilosa were morphologically distinct, UPGMA cluster analysis showed that the two varieties had no distinct genetic differentiation and may be treated as a single taxon. Conservation measures are suggested, including in situ and ex situ strategies, based on the observed population genetic information.

Key words: Primula interjacens , endemic, ISSR, genetic diversity, variety, conservation strategy