Abstract
Seven ISSR and eight SRAP primer combinations were used to evaluate the genetic variation within and among nine natural populations of Hertia cheirifolia growing wild in different bioclimatic and geographic regions in Tunisia. The level of genetic diversity within populations varied according to populations and DNA-based markers. A high level of intra-population diversity with ISSR markers (P = 66.34%, H = 0.271, I = 0.394), and a moderate level of genetic diversity with SRAP markers (P = 42.97%, H = 0.164, I = 0.243) were observed. Based on combined data, an intermediate level of polymorphism was observed (P = 59.72%, H = 0.216, I = 0.322).The Mantel test indicated that the genetic differentiation among populations was not correlated to their geographic isolation. For ISSR, SRAP and combined markers, the molecular variation assessed by AMOVA indicated that the most genetic variation resides within populations (71.79%, 51.48% and 65%, respectively) and a high genetic differentiation among populations (ΦST = 0.485, 0.282 and 0.349, respectively). The UPGMA clustering of populations was not related to their geographic and bioclimatic appurtenances. The significant genetic differentiation associated with the low genetic divergence among H. cheirifolia populations detected by both markers suggests that the fragmentation of populations occurred recently. These observations recommend that the appropriate strategy to preserve the gene pool of the species is limiting anthropic pressure and natural habitats fragmentation. Conservation strategies for preserving this plant species are needed in order to increase the size of populations, to avoid genetic erosion and to ensure the in-situ and ex-situ conservations of the species.
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The research was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology and the National Institute of Applied Science and Technology University of Carthage (UR17ES22).
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NR performed the laboratory works and wrote the draft. IY contributed to revision and interpretation. MB designed the study and reviewed the manuscript. CM conducted the data analysis and reviewed the manuscript.
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Rahali, N., Yangui, I., Boussaid, M. et al. Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure of the endemic Hertia cheirifolia (L.) Kuntze based on ISSR and SRAP molecular markers. Biologia 77, 3429–3439 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01166-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01166-9