Genetic Diversity and Taxonomic Implication of Cordyceps sinensis as Revealed by RAPD Markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markersare used to investigate genetic variation andevolutionary relationships of 29 samples of Cordycepssinensis from different geographical populations on theQinghai–Tibet plateau. Out of 137 RAPDbands scored, 100 are polymorphic. A correlation isrevealed between geographical distance and geneticdistance. The molecular phylogenetic tree suggests thatthe 29 samples are divided into three notableclusters, corresponding to the geographical populations,i.e., the north population (NP), middle population (MP),and south population (SP). The NP consists of7 northern samples from Menyuan, Maqu, andLuqu, the MP consists of 8 samples from Yushu andChengduo, and the SP consists of 14 samples from BymaSnow Mountain, Renzhi Snow Moutain, Chongcaoxiwa, andDacaodi.It is demonstrated that extensive geneticdiversity is found among different geographicalpopulations of C. sinensis. The genetic diversitypattern of C. sinensis may be caused by the foundereffects. The taxonomic status of NP, MP, and SP populationsshould be that they are different subspecies rather thandifferent species.