Genetic diversity of Galium cracoviense, G. oelandicum and G. sudeticum (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Galium sect. Leptogalium Lange in NE Europe is represented by few, local endemic species which occur in the area covered by the continental ice sheet in the Pleistocene period. They are: G. cracoviense Ehrend. in S Poland, G. oelandicum (Sterner & Hyl.) Ehrend. in SE Sweden and G. sudeticum Tausch in SW Poland and N Czech Republic. 55 individuals from five populations of these species were analysed using AFLP markers. A total of 193 AFLP bands were detected using three combinations of primers; out of them 159 proved polymorphic (82.4%).The lowest values of Shannon's index and Nei's gene diversity were noted for G. oelandicum and the highest ones for G. sudeticum. The results indicate a relatively high level of genetic variability in each of endemic species in spite of that the studied species occupy very small areas and are represented by a low number of populations. We conclude that additional, demographic and genetic studies are necessary to monitor potential decrease of populations' size resulting mainly from the mechanical destruction of plants and their habitats caused by intense tourism or other human activities (as agriculture, e.g. grazing).

The origin of unique diversity in deglaciated areas: traces ofPleistocene processes in north‐European endemics from theGalium pusillumpolyploid complex (Rubiaceae)

“…the intermediate position of the diploid stenoendemic G. cracoviense from southern Poland in Fig. b; see also Cieślak & Szeląg ), (ii) the presence of typically northern plastid haplotype group (D; Fig. ) and (iii) intermediate monoploid genome sizes between those of northern and central European diploid groups (cf.…”

Genetic structure of Galium cracoviense (Rubiaceae): a naturally rare species with an extremely small distribution range

“…It grows on calcareous rock on the northern margin of the Wy_ zyna KrakowskoCzęstochowska upland in southern Poland (Kucowa 1967). The habitat characteristics and the glaciation history of the area where it occurs support the view that this species has persisted in the same area since its divergence (Cieślak and Szeląg 2010). Literature data do not document any recent (anthropogenic) loss of parts of its range (Kucowa 1967;Walusiak 2010).…”