Studying the Genetic and the Epigenetic Diversity of the Endangered Species Juniperus drupacea Labill. towards Safeguarding Its Conservation in Greece

Juniperus drupacea Labill is a unique representative tree which, nowadays, has limited geographical range. In Greece, it exists only in the southeastern part of Peloponnese, and labeled as endangered according to IUCN Europe. light climatic changes, conservation plan which will secure its adaptation resilience important. Knowledge genetic epigenetic diversity J. Greece can establish pledge for sustainability. this study, with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers assessed methylation-sensitive amplification (MSAP) were used eleven subpopulations species. Simultaneously, first assessment between midday water potential (Ψmd) was calculated order determine drought response Results showed that higher than no subpopulation differentiation observed. No significant correlations found geographic, epigenetic, diversity, indicating uncoupled from diversity. A negative correlation Shannon index Ψmd found. The holistic research paves way an effective