Genetic and Morphological Variation of Two Rare Species of Lepidium (Brassicaceae) on Mangere Island, Chatham Islands, and Implications for Their Conservation Management

Abstract

The genus Lepidium in New Zealand comprises a number of threatened and endemic species. Two recently described species, Lepidium panniforme and L. oblitum, have a restricted distribution on the remote and difficult to access Mangere Island, Chatham Islands. We examined the genetic and morphological variation of L. panniforme and L. oblitum on Mangere Island to assess the best conservation management options. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data and morphological data were used to detect finer scale variation in L. panniforme and L. oblitum. Bayesian analysis of AFLP genotypes detected up to four genetic clusters on Mangere Island. The morphological data were also variable, although better reflected the taxonomic treatment of the Mangere Island plants. The conservation implications of such high genetic and morphological variation over such a small spatial scale are discussed, to propose the best method for ensuring the ongoing survival of these island endemics.