Population genetic structure of the rare species Eryngium maritimum L. (Apiaceae) in the Gulf of Gdańsk: implications for conservation and management

Abstract

Abstract:We examined the genetic structure and diversity of eight populations of Eryngium maritimum L. (Sea Holly) along 150 km coastline of the Gulf of GdaÒsk in Poland. Allozyme electrophoresis revealed two polymorphic loci among the 31 we tested. The populations showed low levels of genetic diversity (P=6.25, A=1.062, Ht=0.026), with little genetic differentiation between populations (F ST =0.03), although it was statistically significant (p<0.001). The main directions of currents and wind indicate no significant limitations to the transport of seeds between populations in the region. Therefore, the grouping of populations that are mostly congruent with their geographic locations (except HP1) might result from the low efficacy of gene flow by seeds. The significant genetic differentiation of HP1, even from close neighboring populations, might have arisen from the founder effect and barriers to the gene flow caused by anthropogenic factors such as forestation and the construction of breakwaters.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Northern Populations of the Declining Coastal Plant Eryngium maritimum

“…The considerable number of individuals with identical genotypes in the two Latvian populations points to a clonal propagation or selffertilisation. Clonal reproduction of the species has been reported in several other studies (Curle et al, 2007;Aviziene et al, 2008;Minasiewicz et al, 2011); however, no studies have reported occurrence of self-fertility in this species. However, because identical genotypes were observed not only within Latvian populations, but also with 8PL and 4EE populations, clonal propagation or self-fertilisation may not be the only interpretation with the low discriminating power of SSAP marker being an alternative explanation for the observed identical genotypes.…”

“…Also, no IBD was observed in E. maritimum populations on the Polish coast (Minasiewicz et al, 2011), which could be related to historical biogeography, as well as to small spatial scale of the study. It can be assumed that populations in Northern Europe are in the evolutionary process of local adaptation after recent recolonisation of northern territories.…”

“…It is distributed along coasts of Europe and adjacent parts of northern Africa comprising the Atlantic Ocean and the North, the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Black Seas (Clausing et al, 2000). Despite its wide native European distribution, populations in the northern parts of its distribution range are declining, several populations have decreased dramatically, and many populations have already become extinct in Norway, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (Curle et al, 2007;Ùabuz, 2007;Ýóùkoú et al, 2007;Aviziene et al, 2008;Olðauskas and Urbonienë, 2008;Minasiewicz et al, 2011). The species is now threatened or endangered in most northern European countries and it is included in endangered plant lists and Red Data books of several of these countries.…”

“…It is essential to assess the genetic diversity and genetic relationships between populations of the species to plan the appropriate conservation measures. Genetic diversity of E. maritimum populations has been studied locally in Norway and Poland (Curle et al, 2007;Minasiewicz et al, 2011). Also, other reports compared genetic diversity of separate individual plants across most of the species distribution range (Clausing et al, 2000;Kadereit et al, 2005).…”

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Eryngium maritimum

“…On the 150 km coastline of the Gulf of Gdańsk, genetic diversity is very low and genetic distance is related to the direction of sea currents influenced by the western winds (Minasiewicz et al . ). Taking the Baltic Coast from Poland to Finland, including the Swedish Islands Gotland and Öland, on the margin of the distribution range in Northern Europe the genetic diversity between and within populations is very low (Ievina et al .…”