Population genetic structure and gene flow of rare and endangered Tetraena mongolica Maxim revealed by reduced representation sequencing
Abstract BackgroundStudying population genetic structure and gene flow of plant populations and their influence factors is crucial in field of conservation biology, especially rare and endangered plants. Tetraena mongolica Maxim (TM), belong to Zygophyllaceae family, a rare and endangered plant with narrow distribution. Due to excessive logging, urban expansion, industrial development and development of the scenic spot in the last decades, has caused habitat fragments and decline.ResultsIn this study, the genetic diversity, the population genetic structure and gene flow of TM populations were evaluated by reduced representation sequencing technology, a total of more than 133.45 GB high-quality clean reads and 38,097 high-quality SNPs were generated. Analysis based on multiple methods, we found existing TM populations have moderate levels of genetic diversity, very low genetic differentiation and high levels of gene flow between populations. Population structure and principal coordinates analysis showed that 8 TM populations can be divided into two groups, Mantel test detected no significant correlation between geographical distances and genetic distance for the whole sampling. The migration model indicated that the gene flow is more of an north to south migration pattern in history.ConclusionsOur study demonstrate that the present genetic structure is mainly due to habitat fragmentation caused by urban sprawl, industrial development and coal mining. For recommendations of conservation management, all 8 populations should be protected as a whole population, rather than just those in the core area of TM nature reserve, especially the populations near the edge of TM distribution in cities and industrial areas deserve our special protection.