Molecular evidence of species- and subspecies-level distinctions in the rare Orchis patens s.l. and implications for conservation

Abstract Characterizing genetic diversity and structure of populations is essential for the effective conservation threatened species. Orchis patens sensu lato a narrowly distributed tetraploid species with disjunct distribution (i.e., Northern Italy, North Africa Canary Islands), which facing severe decline. In this study, we evaluated levels population structuring using 12 new nuclear microsatellite markers. Our analyses differentiation based on multiple approaches (Structure analysis, PCA F -statistics ploidy-independent Rho -index) showed that gene flow low across range O. s.l. , particularly in Islands. Clear differences allele frequencies between Algeria Islands underlie retrieved. study provides support recognition canariensis as sister to separation Italian subspecies . Despite high heterozygosity values found all (ranging from 0.4 0.7), compatible status species, small sizes reduced will be likely detrimental different long term, recommend immediate actions counteract further fragmentation