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Genetic diversity and structure of Rhododendron meddianum, a plant species with extremely small populations.

ABSTRACT: Rhododendron meddianum is a critically endangered species with important ornamental value and is also a plant species with extremely small populations. In this study, we used double digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD) technology to assess the genetic diversity, genetic structure and demographic history of the three extant populations of R. meddianum. Analysis of SNPs indicated that R. meddianum populations have a high genetic diversity (π = 0.0772 ± 0.0024, H _E = 0.0742 ± 0.002). Both F _ST values (0.1582-0.2388) and AMOVA showed a moderate genetic differentiation among the R. meddianum populations. Meanwhile, STRUCTURE, PCoA and NJ trees indicated that the R. meddianum samples were clustered into three distinct genetic groups. Using the stairway plot, we found that R. meddianum underwent a population bottleneck about 70,000 years ago. Furthermore, demographic models of R. meddianum and its relative, Rhododendron cyanocarpum, revealed that these species diverged about 3.05 (2.21-5.03) million years ago. This divergence may have been caused by environmental changes that occurred after the late Pliocene, e.g., the Asian winter monsoon intensified, leading to a drier climate. Based on these findings, we recommend that R. meddianum be conserved through in situ, ex situ approaches and that its seeds be collected for germplasm.

SUBMITTER: Zhang XJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8720705 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundRhododendron pudingense, firstly discovered in Puding county of Guizhou province in 2020, have adapted to living in rocky fissure habitat, which has important ornamental and economic values. However, the genetic diversity and population structure of this species have been rarely described, which seriously affects the collection and protection of wild germplasm resources.ResultsIn the present study, 13 pairs of primers for polymorphic microsatellite were used to investigate the genetic diversity of 65 R. pudingense accessions from six different geographic populations. A total of 254 alleles (Na) were obtained with an average of 19.5 alleles per locus. The average values of polymorphic information content (PIC), observed heterozygosity (Ho), and expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.8826, 0.4501, and 0.8993, respectively, These results indicate that the microsatellite primers adopted demonstrate good polymorphism, and the R. pudingense exhibits a high level of genetic diversity at the species level. The average genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) was 0.1325, suggested that moderate divergence occurred in R. pudingense populations. The average values of genetic differentiation coefficient and gene flow among populations were 0.1165 and 3.1281, respectively. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that most of the population differences (88%) were attributed to within-population variation. The PCoA results are consistent with the findings of the UPGMA clustering analysis, supporting the conclusion that the six populations of R. pudingense can be clearly grouped into two separate clusters. Based on Mantel analysis, we speculate that the PD population may have migrated from WM-1 and WM-2. Therefore, it is advised to protect the natural habitat of R. pudingense in situ as much as possible, in order to maximize the preservation of its genetic diversity.ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of R. pudingense in Guizhou province. The research results revealed the high genetic diversity and moderate population diferentiation in this horticulture plant. This study provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of wild resources of the R. pudingense and lay the foundation for the breeding or cultivation of this new species.

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Genetic diversity and structure of Rhododendron meddianum, a plant species with extremely small populations.

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