Distribution of Genetic Diversity in Beta patula Aiton Populations from Madeira Archipelago, Portugal

Beta patula Aiton is a crop wild relative (CWR) which belongs to the Gene Pool 1b and considered Critically Endangered species, present in very specific environments, such as Desembarcadouro islet (DI) Ponta de São Lourenço or Chão (CI) Desertas Islands. The ISOPlexis Center (University of Madeira) has been providing continuous support for its situ conservation by keeping management plan populations an ex strategy through storage accessions GeneBank. work intends spatial distribution genetic variability diversity these B. using eight polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. overall results lead identification three spots with high diversity. CI small cluster individuals shows footprint different from DI, having unique alleles population. DI two distinct areas: western area, higher individual density but lower allele fixation; central count presence alleles. Despite some differences, comparison islets’ that they have more similarities than differences. Analysis Molecular Variance, based on hierarchical cluster, showed 9% between populations, 68% among individuals, 23% within individuals. This data will be used establishment protocol monitor manage under reserve, subsequently contributing European Genetic Reserve network implementation protection this important CWR.