Using genomic information for management planning of an endangered perennial, Viola uliginosa.

Kyung Min Lee,Jarmo Saarikivi,Laura Kvist,Branko Vreš,Lado Kutnar,Pertti Ranta,Maxim Dzhus,Marko Mutanen

doi:10.1002/ece3.6093

Abstract

Species occupying habitats subjected to frequent natural and/or anthropogenic changes are a challenge for conservation management. We studied one such species, Viola uliginosa, an endangered perennial wetland species typically inhabiting sporadically flooded meadows alongside rivers/lakes. In order to estimate genomic diversity, population structure, and history, we sampled five sites in Finland, three in Estonia, and one each in Slovenia, Belarus, and Poland using genomic SNP data with double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD‐seq). We found monophyletic populations, high levels of inbreeding (mean population F SNP = 0.407–0.945), low effective population sizes (N e = 0.8–50.9), indications of past demographic expansion, and rare long‐distance dispersal. Our results are important in implementing conservation strategies for V. uliginosa, which should include founding of seed banks, ex situ cultivations, and reintroductions with individuals of proper origin, combined with continuous population monitoring and habitat management.

Highlights

Endangered species inhabiting patchy, periodically changing habitats are especially challenging for conservation efforts
A small founding population has a small effective population size, which combined with genetic drift can lead to further genetic differentiation between
We focused our sampling on extant Finnish populations of V. uliginosa, which constitute the northern edge of its global distribution

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Endangered species inhabiting patchy, periodically changing habitats are especially challenging for conservation efforts. Populations of such species have a high risk of extinction due to environmental stochasticity, and if populations are sparse, as is usually the case with endangered species, recolonizations of locally extinct populations will be unlikely. A small founding population has a small effective population size, which combined with genetic drift can lead to further genetic differentiation between. Tends to be lost during founding of new populations. Identification of proper source populations or introduction sites requires understanding of genetic structure and diversity of the species at the range in question, in addition to understanding the evolutionary processes underlying the observed genetic structure and diversity. We sampled nearby populations from Estonia and distant populations at the center and western edge of the distribution range to infer the origin and phylogenetic position of the Finnish populations

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

21.1–27.4 Infinite

Findings

| DISCUSSION