Genetic Evaluation in Natural Populations of the Threatened Conifer Amentotaxus argotaenia (Hance) Pilg. (Taxaceae) Using Microsatellites

Amentotaxus argotaenia (Hance) Pilg. is a threatened conifer with wide distribution range from North to Central Vietnam due habitat loss and over-exploitation. To provide information for its conservation sustainable management, in the present study, genetic diversity population structure 200 trees eight populations, representing natural of this species were estimated using nuclear microsatellites. The results showed moderate A. (HO = 0.331, HE 0.358). Significant heterozygosity deficits detected three populations Northeast area. Genetic differentiation was low same area high different areas. However, gene flow among studied relatively (Nm 1.17). Habitat fragmentation, geographical distance mountain can be major factors that reduce exchange between Various clustering analyses distinguished groups related areas Vietnam. Based on study results, we propose some could prioritized situ their allelic richness or private alleles, meanwhile other should collected ex as resources future.