Patterns of allozyme diversity in several selected rare species in Korea and implications for conservation

Abstract

Because some endemic plants appear to be adapted to a narrow setof environmental conditions with limited genetic diversity, an analysis ofpopulation genetic structure is necessary to fully evaluate the impact of rarityon genetic variation. Listed as endangered species in Korea, only fewpopulations of Abeliophyllum distichum, Leonticemicrorhyncha, Bupleurum euphorbioides, andBerchemia berchmiaefolia were found. A reduced level ofgenetic variation in B. berchemiaefolia is consistent withthe occurrence of a genetic bottleneck and inbreeding. Leonticemicrorhyncha differed dramatically from other taxa in its observed level of geneticvariation, probably due to its predominant selfing. The level ofallozyme variation maintained by A. distichum was high forendemic species. Compared to species with similar traits, A.distichum maintained a relatively higher genetic diversity, probably dueto floral heteromorphism and preferred outcrossing. Bupleurumeuphorbioides maintained a higher genetic diversity due to outcrossing,but at the individual locus, deficiency of heterozygosity prevailed. Probablyinbreeding between local neighborhoods was frequent because A.distichum and B. euphorbioides were pollinatedby small fly species which might be less effective as a pollen dispersal, andtheir visits were extremely scarce and controlled by the weather conditions.Since much of the species-to-species variation in genetic diversity is due tothe specific ecological and evolutionary history of a species, any managementplan developed should be based on historical changes in the population size anddistribution to better predict the amounts and patterns of genetic diversity.