Conservation of genetic diversity in Mediterranean endemic species: Arenaria balearica (Caryophyllaceae)

Background – Biodiversity loss is a problem that needs to be urgently addressed, particularly with the uncertainties of climate change. Current conservation policies principally focus on endangered species but they often give little consideration to the evolutionary processes, genetic diversity, or the rarity of non-endangered species. Endemic species occurring in rocky habitats that are undergoing exceptional habitat loss appear to be one of the most important candidates for conservation. The aim is to establish in situ and ex situ conservation recommendations for the Mediterranean endemic species Arenaria balearica.Material and methods – Arenaria balearica is a species endemic to the Mediterranean with a disjunct distribution range throughout Majorca, Corsica, Sardinia, and other small Tyrrhenian islands. A combination of molecular techniques (AFLPs and plastid DNA) was employed to determine genetic diversity and rarity across populations and to calculate the Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs). Moreover, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) were developed to assess the potential current distribution and the expected situation under future climatic scenarios.Key results – To preserve the genetic diversity and rarity of the species, in situ conservation is proposed for six populations as RGUCs. Moreover, as the RGUCs can only account for a part of the phylogeographic signal, ex situ conservation is also suggested for some additional populations. According to the results, the habitat suitability in the 2050 scenario is limited and suitable areas for A. balearica could have disappeared by 2070. Therefore, the persistence of the species could be in danger in a short period of time and conservation planning becomes necessary.

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Conservation assessment at a regional level: the study case of 'Delphinium fissum' subsp. 'sordidum' (Ranunculaceae), an endemic Iberian subspecies with disjunct distribution

Mediterranean Botany ◽

10.5209/mbot.60137 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 165-175

Author(s):

Ruben Ramírez-Rodríguez ◽

Francisco Amich

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Regional Level ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Disjunct Distribution ◽

Conservation Assessment ◽

Conservation Values ◽

Study Case

Delphinium fissum subsp. sordidum is a restricted endemic subspecies whose core distribution is located in the central-western Iberian Peninsula with a disjunct subpopulation in Sierra Mágina (Jaén Province). This article reports a detailed study of its current distribution, population size and structure, and the threats that it faces. Phytosociological analysis shows two main plant communities where D. fissum subsp. sordidum develops: Quercion pyrenaicae and Quercion broteroi. According to the most recent IUCN categories and criteria, the conservation status of D. fissum subsp. sordidum is “Endangered” (EN) in Castile and Leon. We propose the creation of a Plant Micro-Reserve (PMR) in an enclave with high geological, ecological and conservation values. Medium-long term and individualized monitoring programs are required for all distribution range of Delphinium fissum subsp. sordidum. An overall Recovery Plan for the subspecies should be considered and implemented, including in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures that guarantee its protection, conservation and recovery.

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Genetic diversity of Bolivian wild potato germplasm: changes during ex situ conservation management and comparisons with resampled in situ populations

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution ◽

10.1007/s10722-015-0357-9 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 331-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

X. Cadima Fuentes ◽

R. van Treuren ◽

R. Hoekstra ◽

R. G. van den Berg ◽

M. S. M. Sosef

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Conservation Management ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Wild Potato ◽

Potato Germplasm

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Seed germination of Carex lainzii Luceño, E. Rico & T. Romero: An endemic Spanish endangered species

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d200313 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 704-711

Author(s):

KAROLINE APARECIDA FELIX RIBEIRO ◽

CRISTIAN MADEIRA DE MEDEIROS ◽

JOSÉ ÁNGEL SÁNCHEZ-AGUDO ◽

JOSÉ SÁNCHEZ-SÁNCHEZ

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Endangered Species ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Seed Viability ◽

Potassium Nitrate ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Cold Stratification ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Two Populations

Abstract. Ribeiro KAF, Madeira de Medeiros C, Agudo JAS, Sánchez JS. 2019. Seed germination of Carex lainzii Luceño, E. Rico & T. Romero: An endemic Spanish endangered species. Biodiversitas 20: xxxx. Strategies to halt the decline of biodiversity include: in-situ and ex-situ conservation, the latter already considered at the global level essential in conservation programs. The results of the germinative responses of Carex lainzii Luceño, E. Rico & T. Romero (Cyperaceae), an endemic Spanish endangered species, are presented in this work, to different trials carried out in the laboratory with seeds harvested in the two known populations of that community. Treatments with and without 0.2% potassium nitrate (KNO3) were tested for four, six and eight months in cold stratification at 5 °C in two germination chambers at different temperatures (22/10 °C and 27/15 °C with a photoperiod of 12/12 hours). The results indicate that there is a large difference in germination rates between the two populations. The use of KNO3 did not increase germination rates in any case, but differences were found between periods of cold stratification, with six months being the most effective. On the other hand, the germination rates of both populations remain low (17.58% and 2%) compared to the obtained rate of seed viability. With this first approach to the understanding of the germination requirements of C. lainzii, it becomes clear that new essays are needed to obtain better results, in order to effectively implement the protection plans of C. lainzii populations.

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Genetic diversity and ex situ conservation of Loropetalum subcordatum, an endangered species endemic to China

BMC Genetics ◽

10.1186/s12863-018-0599-6 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bai-Jun Li ◽

Jie-Yu Wang ◽

Zhong-Jian Liu ◽

Xue-Ying Zhuang ◽

Jiu-Xiang Huang

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Endangered Species ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Loropetalum Subcordatum

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Genetic consequences of in situ and ex situ conservation of forest trees

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc68720-6 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 68 (6) ◽

pp. 720-729 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Rong-Cai Yang ◽

Francis C. Yeh

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Tree Improvement ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Forest Trees ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Population Establishment ◽

Loss Of Genetic Diversity

To counteract loss of genetic diversity crucial for current and future tree improvement, tree breeders have conserved forest genetic resources in situ in their natural ecosystems in protected areas or ex situ in plantations, seed orchards, and breeding arboreta. This article reviews the genetic consequences of these two conservation methods in terms of single-locus and multilocus population structure from electrophoretic studies of natural forests and breeding populations. Although natural forest populations have maintained high level of genetic diversity and exhibited low level of population differentiation, loss of genetic diversity would occur during the entire conservation process, from population establishment to management of breeding and production populations. Since forest trees are still at their earliest stage of domestication in Canada, loss of genetic diversity comes primarily from the initial sampling process during population establishment. We discuss the optimal sampling strategy during population establishment to conserve common and widespread alleles, common and localized alleles, rare and widespread alleles, and rare and localized alleles. We also discuss three methods for studying the multilocus structure of forest trees and show how such information would be useful for conserving co-adapted gene complexes. We conclude that being small and maintained in controlled environments, ex situ conserved populations would retain less genetic diversity than in situ conserved forest populations. While ex situ conservation is operationally convenient for the short-term gains in tree improvement, we believe in situ conservation is essential for renewing the genetic diversity to meet the changing environments of an uncertain future.

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The Development of Plant Conservation in Botanic Gardens and the Current and Future Role of Conservation Genetics for Enhancing Those Conservation Efforts

Molecular Frontiers Journal ◽

10.1142/s2529732519400078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

pp. 44-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christine E. Edwards ◽

Peter Wyse Jackson

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Conservation Genetics ◽

Plant Conservation ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Botanic Gardens ◽

Future Role

Botanic gardens play major roles in plant conservation globally. Since the 1980s, the number of botanic gardens worldwide and their involvement in integrating ex situ and in situ plant conservation has increased significantly, with a growing focus on understanding, documenting, and capturing genetic diversity in their living collections. This article outlines why genetic diversity is important for conservation, and explores how botanic gardens can establish and expand the use of molecular techniques to support their plant conservation efforts.

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Characterization of trees, fruits and genetic diversity in natural populations of mangaba

Ciência e Agrotecnologia ◽

10.1590/1413-70542017413048416 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 255-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Veruska Cruz da Silva ◽

Julie Anne Espíndola Amorim ◽

Marina Ferreira da Vitória ◽

Ana da Silva Ledo ◽

Allivia Rouse Carregosa Rabbani

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Economic Potential ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Selection Of ◽

Issr Primers

ABSTRACT The state of Sergipe is the largest mangaba producer, which is a fruit native to Brazil, and has cultural, social and economic importance in its area of occurrence. It is an endangered species due to human actions, and despite its economic potential, there are still no commercial plantations. The study was carried out in order to characterize trees, fruits and the genetic diversity of natural populations of mangaba in Sergipe, Brazil. Fruits from Abaís Beach/Estância (AB) presented, on average, twice the vitamin C content (414.81 mg of vit. C/100g), when compared with the others. The use of ISSR primers was efficient in estimating the genetic similarity of populations. The primers clustered the populations of mangaba according to their origin, which indicates the genetic diversity of mangaba and their isolation. The results can be used to guide the selection of individuals in situ and ex situ conservation actions of these genetic resources.

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Status of the Ex Situ and In Situ Conservation of Brazilian Crop Wild Relatives of Rice, Potato, Sweet Potato, and Finger Millet: Filling the Gaps of Germplasm Collections

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040638 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 638

Author(s):

Marcelo B. Medeiros ◽

José F. M. Valls ◽

Aluana G. Abreu ◽

Gustavo Heiden ◽

Suelma Ribeiro-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Finger Millet ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Gap Analysis ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Germplasm Collection ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

The Status

This study presents the status of ex situ and in situ conservation for the crop wild relatives of rice, potato, sweet potato, and finger millet in Brazil, and the subsequent germplasm collection expeditions. This research is part of a global initiative entitled “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Collecting, Protecting, and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives” supported by the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Species of the primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pools with occurrences reported in Brazil were included: Oryza alta Swallen, O. grandiglumis (Döll) Prod., O. latifolia Desv., O. glumaepatula Steud., Eleusine tristachya (Lam.) Lam., E. indica (L.) Gaertn., Solanum commersonii Dunal, S. chacoense Bitter, Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O’Donell, I. ramosissima (Poir.) Choisy, I. tiliacea (Willd.) Choisy, I. triloba L., and I. cynanchifolia Meisn. The status of the ex situ and in situ conservation of each taxon was assessed using the gap analysis methodology, and the results were used to plan 16 germplasm collection expeditions. Seeds of the collected material were evaluated for viability, and the protocols for seed germination and cryopreservation were tested. The final conservation score, resulting from the gap analysis and including the average of the ex situ and in situ scores, resulted in a classification of medium priority of conservation for all the species, with the exception of I. grandifolia (high priority). The total accessions collected (174) almost doubled the total accessions of these crop wild relatives incorporated in Embrapa’s ex situ conservation system prior to 2015. In addition, accessions for practically absent species were collected for the ex situ conservation system, such as Ipomoea species, Eleusine indica, and Solanum chacoense. The methods used for dormancy breaking and low temperature conservation for the Oryza, Eleusine, and Ipomoea species were promising for the incorporation of accessions in the respective gene banks. The results show the importance of efforts to collect and conserve ex situ crop wild relatives in Brazil based on previous gap analysis. The complementarity with the in situ strategy also appears to be very promising in the country.

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