Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands
<i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> is a threatened orchid with low population numbers and fragmented distribution, present in four of the Canary Islands. This study focused on assessing the genetic variability and population genetic structure of the natural populations known to date, i...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Rocío González Negrín Victoria Eugenia Martín Osorio Pedro A. Sosa Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez |
| author_facet | Rocío González Negrín Victoria Eugenia Martín Osorio Pedro A. Sosa Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez |
| author_sort | Rocío González Negrín |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> is a threatened orchid with low population numbers and fragmented distribution, present in four of the Canary Islands. This study focused on assessing the genetic variability and population genetic structure of the natural populations known to date, identifying those characteristics of the species that condition the flow and genetic variation. For that purpose, we collected samples from eight sites in its distribution range and developed 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Despite its rarity, this orchid presents high levels of genetic diversity and a homogeneous population structure, characterised by a low degree of genetic differentiation and patterns consistent with high genetic connectivity among populations. Our results suggest that the species might show dichotomy in seed dispersal, combining long- and short-distance events. In addition, it is possible that pollen cross-pollination (pollinia) between adjacent sites may also be involved. In conclusion, these findings reveal unexpectedly high genetic diversity and connectivity among populations, despite the species’ rarity and fragmented distribution, highlighting key biological traits that should be considered in future conservation and recovery plans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc27f6b757dc498c9be1e6eb2f34ed18 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc27f6b757dc498c9be1e6eb2f34ed182025-08-20T03:16:36ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-06-011412186210.3390/plants14121862Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary IslandsRocío González Negrín0Victoria Eugenia Martín Osorio1Pedro A. Sosa2Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez3Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SpainDepartamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SpainInstituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SpainInstituto Universitario de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain<i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> is a threatened orchid with low population numbers and fragmented distribution, present in four of the Canary Islands. This study focused on assessing the genetic variability and population genetic structure of the natural populations known to date, identifying those characteristics of the species that condition the flow and genetic variation. For that purpose, we collected samples from eight sites in its distribution range and developed 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Despite its rarity, this orchid presents high levels of genetic diversity and a homogeneous population structure, characterised by a low degree of genetic differentiation and patterns consistent with high genetic connectivity among populations. Our results suggest that the species might show dichotomy in seed dispersal, combining long- and short-distance events. In addition, it is possible that pollen cross-pollination (pollinia) between adjacent sites may also be involved. In conclusion, these findings reveal unexpectedly high genetic diversity and connectivity among populations, despite the species’ rarity and fragmented distribution, highlighting key biological traits that should be considered in future conservation and recovery plans.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1862conservation geneticsendemicmicrosatellite markersseed dispersal |
| spellingShingle | Rocío González Negrín Victoria Eugenia Martín Osorio Pedro A. Sosa Priscila Rodríguez-Rodríguez Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands Plants conservation genetics endemic microsatellite markers seed dispersal |
| title | Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands |
| title_full | Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands |
| title_fullStr | Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands |
| title_full_unstemmed | Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands |
| title_short | Endangered with High Dispersal Abilities: Conservation Genetics of <i>Himantoglossum metlesicsianum</i> (Teschner) <i>P. Delforge</i> (Orchidaceae) in the Canary Islands |
| title_sort | endangered with high dispersal abilities conservation genetics of i himantoglossum metlesicsianum i teschner i p delforge i orchidaceae in the canary islands |
| topic | conservation genetics endemic microsatellite markers seed dispersal |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1862 |
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