Genetic structure and diversity of the declining orchid Gymnadenia conopsea in Scandinavia: implications for conservation and management

• Understanding how historical versus contemporary processes shape population genetic structure and variation is important to design effective management actions for threatened species. To unravel population structure, connectivity, and genetic variation in the declining Gymnadenia conopsea, we genotyped 1,834 SNPs in 1,120 individuals in 110 populations, in three different habitats (fen, meadow, coastal) across Scandinavia. We further tested if genetic diversity increases with census population size, and is higher in core habitats (fen and meadow) than in marginal, coastal habitats. We identified three main genetic clusters and pronounced isolation by distance, consistent with two independent colonization routes after last glacial maximum, followed by admixture. Estimates of effective migration using EEMS indicated reduced gene flow between coastal and inland populations, suggesting that the complex topography of the fjord landscape constitutes a dispersal barrier. Genetic diversity increased with census population size. The highest genetic diversity was found in core habitats, in meadows in southern Sweden and in inland fens along the Scandes mountains, while the lowest genetic diversity was found on the Atlantic coast and in a few populations scattered across Scandinavia. Genetic diversity did not vary significantly among habitat types. In conclusion, current genetic structure suggests a strong legacy of historical events, and the high genetic diversity documented in the main Scandinavian range indicates that both current viability and future adaptation potential is high. To maintain genetic diversity and connectivity, it is particularly important to preserve southern meadow populations, which depend on traditional land use, along with central fen populations.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Botanik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Botany (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Genetik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Genetics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

conservation genetics

demographic history

population structure

orchid

population size

Biology with specialization in Ecological Botany

Biologi med inriktning mot ekologisk botanik

Biology with specialization in Ecological Botany

Biologi med inriktning mot ekologisk botanik

Biology with specialization in Ecological Botany

Biologi med inriktning mot ekologisk botanik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)