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Genetic diversity in Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae), an endangered Himalayan species, as assessed by RAPD

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Abstract

Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) has undergone a severe decline in population size since its discovery in the North-western Himalayas in late 19th century. One hundred and seventy-two plants from six populations in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, located between 0.45 km and 455.72 km apart from each other were evaluated for RAPD polymorphism. Sixteen random primers generated 92 bands overall, 77 of which were polymorphic. Shannon’s index of genetic diversity within populations (Ho) ranged between 0.305 and 0.421; the average within-population diversity (Hpop) was 0.389; and the total species diversity (Hsp) was 0.478. The population from Mohand (representing the type locality) had the fewest plants, at 18, and was genetically the most depauperate. Among the other populations, ranging in size between 52 and 1,022 individuals, no relation between population size and genetic diversity was evident. It is suggested that these six populations represent relics of a larger, extended population, in which the presence of perennating rootstocks has helped preserve historic patterns of genetic diversity. AMOVA revealed that 83.01% of the variation exists within populations, which was consistent with earlier studies on the reproductive biology of E. superba, which indicated this species is predominantly allogamous. FST distances between all populations were significant, indicating geographic differentiation despite some of them being closely separated. Habitat restoration and protection from indiscriminate harvesting are proposed as primary strategies for conserving E. superba. Rejuvenation of the Mohand population through intrapopulation crossing between plants bearing diverse molecular phenotypes is also suggested.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Joint Director, Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehradun for facilitating collection from Mohand S.V. thanks Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi for providing financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Marg, Bahu Wali Rakh, Jammu, J&K, 180006, India

    Susheel Verma & Awtar K. Koul

  2. Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology, CG Centres Block, DPS Marg, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Jawahar L. Karihaloo

  3. NRC DNA Fingerprinting, NBPGR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Shailesh K. Tiwari

  4. Post Graduate Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Marg, Jammu, J&K, 180006, India

    Rani Magotra

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  1. Susheel Verma
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  2. Jawahar L. Karihaloo
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  3. Shailesh K. Tiwari
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  4. Rani Magotra
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  5. Awtar K. Koul
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Correspondence to Susheel Verma.

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Verma, S., Karihaloo, J.L., Tiwari, S.K. et al. Genetic diversity in Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae), an endangered Himalayan species, as assessed by RAPD. Genet Resour Crop Evol 54, 221–229 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-006-9118-0

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