Strong fluctuations in aboveground population size do not limit genetic diversity in populations of an endangered biennial species
Language English Country Germany Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
Grant support
EHP funds 2009-2014
Ministerstvo životního prostředí - International
PubMed
29700631
DOI
10.1007/s00442-018-4152-0
PII: 10.1007/s00442-018-4152-0
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Bottleneck effect, Expected heterozygosity, Microsatellites, Seed bank longevity, Storage effect,
- MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Population Density MeSH
- Endangered Species * MeSH
- Genetics, Population * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Assessing genetic diversity within populations of rare species and understanding its determinants are crucial for effective species protection. While a lot is known about the relationships between genetic diversity, fitness, and current population size, very few studies explored the effects of past population size. Knowledge of past population size may, however, improve our ability to predict future population fates. We studied Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica, a biennial species with extensive seed bank. We tested the effect of current, past minimal and maximal population size, and harmonic mean of population sizes within the last 15 years on genetic diversity and fitness. Maximum population size over the last 15 years was the best predictor of expected heterozygosity of the populations and was significantly related to current population size and management. Plant fitness was significantly related to current as well as maximum population size and expected heterozygosity. The results suggested that information on past population size may improve our understanding of contemporary genetic diversity across populations. They demonstrated that despite the strong fluctuations in population size, large reductions in population size do not result in immediate loss of genetic diversity and reduction of fitness within the populations. This is likely due to the seed bank of the species serving as reservoir of the genetic diversity of the populations. From a conservation point of view, this suggests that the restoration of small populations of short-lived species with permanent seed bank is possible as these populations may still be genetically diverse.
Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Zámek 1 252 43 Průhonice Czech Republic
Muzeum Cheb Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad 493 4 350 11 Cheb Czech Republic
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