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Assessing genetic structure in a rare clonal eucalypt as a basis for augmentation and introduction translocations

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Abstract

Genetics can provide information that is critical for planning translocations for conservation, such as levels of diversity and divergence of target and source populations. For clonal plants, assessing population characteristics (size, diversity, mortality, gene flow) that influence conservation values also requires identification of different genetic individuals. We used 12 microsatellite markers to guide germplasm source recommendations for augmentation and introduction translocations to conserve the critically endangered Eucalyptus cuprea that occurs in fragmented populations in the semi-arid shrublands of Western Australia. Ramet clumps with identical multilocus genotypes were identified in all populations but clonal richness (R = 0 − 0.86) and heterogeneity (D = 0 − 0.98) varied among populations. Genetic diversity was low to moderate in all populations (mean H o = 0.61, mean A = 3.78) and did not differ significantly between localities. There was evidence of inbreeding in some populations but outcrossing (t m = 0.495) in the small number of families available for study (N = 4) and genotypic diversity of the larger extant populations suggest the generation of novel genotypes is a component of the reproductive strategy. Most diversity was within populations and differentiation among populations was moderate (F ST = 0.100) suggesting mixing of source population for translocation is unlikely to lead to outbreeding depression. Principal Co-ordinate and Bayesian analyses indicated the Northern population is distinct from Central/Southern populations. We recommend use of mixed germplasm to conserve the moderate diversity characterising larger remnant populations and to enable the production of recombinants through sexual reproduction. But given seed availability and the distinction of the Northern population, an initial precautionary approach to a translocation proposed for south of the geographical range may be to source germplasm from the Central/Southern locality.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Gemma Phelan for collecting samples from some populations, and landholders for permission to collect on their property.

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  1. Science Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley, WA, 6983, Australia

    Jane F. Sampson & Margaret Byrne

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  1. Jane F. Sampson
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  2. Margaret Byrne
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Correspondence to Jane F. Sampson.

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Sampson, J.F., Byrne, M. Assessing genetic structure in a rare clonal eucalypt as a basis for augmentation and introduction translocations. Conserv Genet 17, 293–304 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-015-0781-6

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