Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers

ABSTRACT We assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of the protected orchid Bletilla striata across 18 wild populations in southwestern China. Eight pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers were employed for its genetic diversity and population structure analyses, whil...

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Main Authors: Liangliang Luo, Qian Wang, Xiaolan Li, Delin Xu, Huan Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Ecology and Evolution
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72043
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author Liangliang Luo
Qian Wang
Xiaolan Li
Delin Xu
Huan Hu
author_facet Liangliang Luo
Qian Wang
Xiaolan Li
Delin Xu
Huan Hu
author_sort Liangliang Luo
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT We assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of the protected orchid Bletilla striata across 18 wild populations in southwestern China. Eight pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers were employed for its genetic diversity and population structure analyses, while the optimized Maxent model was utilized to predict changes in the habitat distribution under historical conditions and three future climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585) with 141 natural distribution data and 19 climatic factors. The results revealed an average number of alleles (Na) of 3.549 and an effective number of alleles (Ne) of 2.636, with a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.748 across the B. striata populations. Moderate genetic diversity was observed (observed heterozygosity, Ho = 0.402; expected heterozygosity, He = 0.509), with 73% of the total variation found within populations, while the 02 population in Zhijin Guizhou exhibited relatively high genetic differentiation (Ho = 0.675, He = 0.658). UPGMA clustering, population structure analyses, and principal component analysis identified two primary subgroups within B. striata. Among the 19 climate variables analyzed, four temperature‐related factors and two precipitation‐related factors were identified as key drivers influencing the geographical distribution of B. striata. Future projections for the 2050s and 2070s under varying climate scenarios indicate a northward expansion of suitable habitats for B. striata. The proportion of suitable habitat area is expected to increase from 288.3450 × 104 km2 under historical conditions (1970–2000) to 351.9792–405.6077 × 104 km2 (2050s–2070s). The wild B. striata populations in southwestern China and adjacent regions represent valuable germplasm resources with high genetic diversity, offering significant potential for artificial cultivation initiatives. Moreover, predictions of future distribution dynamics provide critical insights to guide the conservation, development, and sustainable utilization of B. striata.
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spelling doaj-art-43a3a39b17bb48f4a8aeaf34895aed852025-08-20T03:44:18ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-08-01158n/an/a10.1002/ece3.72043Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR MarkersLiangliang Luo0Qian Wang1Xiaolan Li2Delin Xu3Huan Hu4Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, School of Stomatology Zunyi Medical University Zunyi ChinaMicrobial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, School of Stomatology Zunyi Medical University Zunyi ChinaMicrobial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, School of Stomatology Zunyi Medical University Zunyi ChinaSchool of Preclinical Medicine Zunyi Medical University Zunyi ChinaMicrobial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, School of Stomatology Zunyi Medical University Zunyi ChinaABSTRACT We assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of the protected orchid Bletilla striata across 18 wild populations in southwestern China. Eight pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers were employed for its genetic diversity and population structure analyses, while the optimized Maxent model was utilized to predict changes in the habitat distribution under historical conditions and three future climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585) with 141 natural distribution data and 19 climatic factors. The results revealed an average number of alleles (Na) of 3.549 and an effective number of alleles (Ne) of 2.636, with a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.748 across the B. striata populations. Moderate genetic diversity was observed (observed heterozygosity, Ho = 0.402; expected heterozygosity, He = 0.509), with 73% of the total variation found within populations, while the 02 population in Zhijin Guizhou exhibited relatively high genetic differentiation (Ho = 0.675, He = 0.658). UPGMA clustering, population structure analyses, and principal component analysis identified two primary subgroups within B. striata. Among the 19 climate variables analyzed, four temperature‐related factors and two precipitation‐related factors were identified as key drivers influencing the geographical distribution of B. striata. Future projections for the 2050s and 2070s under varying climate scenarios indicate a northward expansion of suitable habitats for B. striata. The proportion of suitable habitat area is expected to increase from 288.3450 × 104 km2 under historical conditions (1970–2000) to 351.9792–405.6077 × 104 km2 (2050s–2070s). The wild B. striata populations in southwestern China and adjacent regions represent valuable germplasm resources with high genetic diversity, offering significant potential for artificial cultivation initiatives. Moreover, predictions of future distribution dynamics provide critical insights to guide the conservation, development, and sustainable utilization of B. striata.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72043Bletilla striataMaxent modelpopulation genetic structurepotentially suitable habitatssimple sequence repeat (SSR)
spellingShingle Liangliang Luo
Qian Wang
Xiaolan Li
Delin Xu
Huan Hu
Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
Ecology and Evolution
Bletilla striata
Maxent model
population genetic structure
potentially suitable habitats
simple sequence repeat (SSR)
title Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
title_full Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
title_fullStr Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
title_full_unstemmed Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
title_short Population Genetic Diversity and Species Distribution Evaluation of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) in Southwest China Using SSR Markers
title_sort population genetic diversity and species distribution evaluation of bletilla striata orchidaceae in southwest china using ssr markers
topic Bletilla striata
Maxent model
population genetic structure
potentially suitable habitats
simple sequence repeat (SSR)
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72043
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