原产地浙贝母遗传多样性分子研究

基于RAPD和ISSR分子标记,对原产地浙江宁波鄞州章水、鄞江和龙观的3个浙贝母品系(狭叶型浙贝母、宽叶型浙贝母、多籽型浙贝母)16个居群的遗传多样性及遗传结构进行研究。结果显示:(1)11个狭叶型浙贝母、3个宽叶型浙贝母和2个多籽型浙贝母居群的多态带百分率分别为24.22%、3.81%和0.69%,表明3个浙贝母品系之间,狭叶型遗传分化程度最高,遗传多样性最丰富,宽叶型其次,多籽型最低。(2)品系内的亲缘关系较品系间的亲缘关系更近,其中宽叶型与多籽型浙贝母品系间的亲缘关系较近,并推测二者可能是由原种狭叶型浙贝母选育而来。(3)16个浙贝母居群总基因多样性(Ht)为0.250 1±0.033 5,居群内基因多样性(Hs)为0.053 2±0.009 7,各居群间的遗传分化指数(Gst)为0.787 1,基因流(Nm)为0.135 3,表明浙贝母的大部分遗传分化存在于居群间,但各居群间的交流非常有限。     

西南地区6种魔芋属植物基于cpDNA序列的遗传多样性研究

研究野生作物资源的遗传变异及分化机制对种质资源的收集与改良具有重要意义。魔芋是我国西南地区的特色经济作物,但由于受到人为活动干扰,野生种群不断衰退。为评估西南地区魔芋属(Amorphophallus)野生群体的遗传多样性,探究代表性物种的系统发育地位,该研究利用3个叶绿体DNA(cpDNA)片段,分析了魔芋6个物种的遗传多样性,重建了种间系统发育关系。结果表明:(1)西南地区野生魔芋群体的遗传多样性普遍较低,虽然单倍型多样性(H_d)均值为0.428,但近一半群体只有1个单倍型,6个物种整体水平上的单倍型多样性在0.704到0.983之间。(2)在6个物种间检测到高水平的遗传分化,遗传分化系数(F_ST)值在0.481到0.967之间。(3)系统发育分析表明,选取的27个魔芋种主要聚成3个分支:非洲分支、东南亚分支和东亚大陆分支。疣柄魔芋(A. paeoniifolius)隶属于东南亚分支,而东亚大陆分支A包含花魔芋(A. konjac)和西盟魔芋(A. krausei),东亚大陆分支B由东亚魔芋(A. kiusianus)、滇魔芋(A. yunnanensis)和东京魔芋(A. tonkinensis)构成。生境隔离与人为干扰造成了西南地区野生魔芋群体较低的遗传多样性,魔芋属东亚大陆分支的分化可能与早期的快速扩张和生态适应有关。该研究为西南地区魔芋资源的合理保护、可持续利用和杂交育种提供了参考资料。     

陕西唐棣遗传多样性和遗传分化的AFLP分析

采用扩增片段长度多态性分子标记技术对陕西省分布的6个野生唐棣居群的96个个体进行了遗传多样性分析, 以明确野生唐棣资源的亲缘关系,为唐棣资源的保护、良种选育和开发利用提供理论依据。结果显示：(1)从64对引物组合中筛选出8对扩增条带清晰、多态性高的引物组合,共扩增出277条清晰条带,其中多态性条带116条,多态性位点百分率为42.86%。(2)UPGMA聚类、主坐标分析(PCoA)和遗传结构分析结果相似,将6个陕西野生唐棣居群分成2大支,秦岭南北居群间遗传分化明显,且群体间存在一定基因流。(3)分子方差分析(AMOVA)结果显示遗传变异主要存在于居群内(63%),居群间遗传变异为37%。Mantel检验表明陕西唐棣居群地理距离与遗传距离之间无明显相关性(r = 0.192,P = 0.220)。研究表明,AFLP分子标记可以准确、有效地用于唐棣遗传多样性分析;唐棣遗传变异主要来源于居群内,居群间的基因交流有限;陕西野生唐棣遗传多样性水平较低,但部分居群的遗传多样性较高。该研究结果可为野生唐棣资源的保护、良种选育和开发利用提供理论依据。     

青藏高原濒危植物唐古特大黄的遗传多样性

唐古特大黄(Rheum tanguticum)是中国传统的中藏药材,近几年由于生境的严重破坏,已濒临灭绝,并被列入濒危植物名单。为了探索唐古特大黄物种濒危的原因并保护其野生资源,本研究采集了9个居群87个个体的唐古特大黄样本,基于该物种的叶绿体基因trn S-G序列对其进行了遗传多样性研究。结果表明,唐古特大黄物种具有较高的遗传多样性水平(Ht=0.694),其中95.97%的遗传分化来自于居群间(G_(ST)=0.960),4.03%的遗传分化来自于居群内(Hs=0.028)。AMOVA分析也显示唐古特大黄居群间基因流较小(N_m=0.01),存在较高的遗传分化(F_(ST)=0.9631)。唐古特大黄较高的遗传多样性水平可能与该物种较长的进化史和生活史有关,居群间较高的遗传分化可能与高山地区特殊的地理环境和人类活动有关。根据研究结果,建议对唐古特大黄所有野生居群进行就地保护,同时收集种质资源开展异地繁殖工作,以保护物种的遗传多样性,维持其进化潜力。     

Maintenance of Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversity in Managed Populations of Stenocereus Stellatus (Cactaceae) by Indigenous Peoples in Central Mexico

The columnar cactus Stenocereus stellatus is used in Central Mexico for its edible fruits which are harvested in wild, managed in situ and cultivated populations. Management in situ of wild populations is conducted by selectively sparing and enhancing the abundance of plants with desirable phenotypes when fields are cleared for agricultural use. Cultivation of desirable phenotypes is carried out by vegetative propagation in homegardens. Effects of human management on morphological and genetic variation of S. stellatus were analyzed by comparing morphological diversity indices (MD, based on Simpson’s index) and expected (H_e) heterozygosity indices from allozyme analysis, in wild, managed in situ, and cultivated populations from La Mixteca and the Tehuacán Valley regions. Morphological diversity was similar among regions, but populations from the wetter La Mixteca region averaged higher genetic variation (H_e = 0.279) than populations from Tehuacán (H_e = 0.265). On average, populations manipulated by people had higher levels of variation (MD = 0.479 ± 0.012, H_e = 0.289 in cultivated populations; MD = 0.461 ± 0.014, H_e = 0.270 in managed in situ populations) than wild populations (MD = 0.408 ± 0.017, H_e = 0.253), which is apparently due to a continual introduction and replacement of plant materials in the manipulated populations. The results illustrate that human management may not only maintain but also increase both morphological and genetic diversity of manipulated plant populations in relation to that existing in the wild. Managed in situ and cultivated populations of S. stellatus are important reservoirs of variation, and are crucial for the general maintenance of diversity in wild populations. These populations may play a principal role in designing strategies for the conservation of variation of this cactus.     

云南南部野生大叶千斤拔资源遗传多样性的ISSR分析

应用ISSR分子标记技术,对云南南部7个地区的野生大叶千斤拔( Flemingia macrophylla)居群进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明：云南野生大叶千斤拔具有较高的遗传多样性。在物种水平上,平均每个位点的多态位点百分率(PPL)为94.85％,有效等位基因数(Ne)为1.4627,Nei’s基因多样性指数(He)为0.2815, Shannon’s多样性信息指数(Ho)为0.4337;在居群水平上,PPL ＝43.44％,Ne ＝1.2981,He ＝0.1704,Ho ＝0.2499。基于Nei’ s遗传多样性分析可得出,居群间的遗传分化系数( Gst)为0.3975,表明居群内的遗传变异为60.25％,居群间的遗传变异为39.75％,这说明居群间的遗传分化要低于居群内的遗传分化。根据遗传多样性分析和聚类结果,应在大叶千金拔遗传多样性较高的勐腊易武( MY)、丘北( QB)和宁洱( NE)地区,设立保护点对其进行就地保护。     

福建泰宁野生铁皮石斛种群的ISSR亲缘关系分析

为了解铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)种质间的亲缘关系,利用ISSR技术对34份铁皮石斛种质资源进行亲缘关系和遗传多样性分析。结果表明,9条ISSR引物在34份种质中共扩增出78条带,多态位点百分率达100%。UPGMA聚类分析表明,种质的相似系数为0.61~0.92,在相似系数0.626处,福建省泰宁的野生铁皮石斛与栽培铁皮石斛分为两大类。泰宁野生铁皮石斛种群的Nei’s基因多样性(H)和遗传分化系数(Gst)分别为0.3111和0.4609,均高于栽培种群(0.3056和0.4204),表明泰宁野生铁皮石斛具有较丰富的多样性和较高的种群分化系数。AMOVA分析表明,铁皮石斛种群内变异指数为74%,种群间变异指数为26%,表明不同种群间可能存在基因交流。这些为不同地域的野生铁皮石斛资源的有效保护及利用提供理论依据及技术参考。     

北沙柳群体遗传多样性和遗传结构分析

以内蒙古北沙柳(Salix psammophila)国家种质资源库内9个群体(P1~P9)288个无性系为实验材料,利用TP-M13-SSR技术,选取22对具有多态性EST-SSR北沙柳引物,采用毛细管电泳对PCR产物进行检测,分析北沙柳遗传多样性、分化程度和群体遗传结构,为北沙柳种质资源库遗传管理、无性系鉴定、品种选育、遗传改良和构建指纹图谱提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)22对EST-SSR引物共检测到222个等位基因,各位点平均等位基因数(A)为10,四倍体基因型丰富度(G)和特异基因型(G1)总和分别为1 460和802个,平均特异基因型比率(P1)和种质鉴别率(P2)分别为45.86%和13.21%。(2)9个群体平均等位基因数(A)为7.475,基因型丰富度(G)为15.586,观察杂合度(Ho)和期望杂合度(He)分别为0.577和0.638。以期望杂合度He为标准,北沙柳群体遗传多样性水平最低的是P1和P9。(3)北沙柳群体遗传分化系数仅为0.02,AMOVA分子变异分析显示,北沙柳群体大部分遗传变异来自群体内(97%),群体间变异仅为3%。(4)三维主成分、聚类和Structure群体遗传结构分析显示,9个群体被划分为2个组,Mantel检验表明北沙柳遗传距离与地理距离极显著相关(r=0.684 P0.001)。研究表明,北沙柳种质资源具有丰富的遗传多样性,这是其具有耐旱、耐寒、耐高温、耐沙埋和抗风蚀等适应性较强的分子基础;北沙柳的遗传变异集中在群体内;分布区群体呈现由中心向边缘群体扩张分化的趋势。     

Genetic Diversity and Genetic Structure of an Endangered Species, Trillium tschonoskii

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of Trillium tschonoskii (Maxim) were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Eight primer combinations were carried out on 105 different individuals sampled from seven populations. Of the 619 discernible DNA fragments generated, 169 (27.3%) were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands within populations ranged from 4.52 to 10.50. Genetic diversity (H_E) within populations ranged from 0.0130 to 0.0379, averaging 0.0536 at the species level. Genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on Nei's genetic diversity analysis (53.03%) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) (52.43%). AMOVA indicated significant genetic differentiation among populations (52.43% of the variance) and within populations (47.57% of the variance) (p < 0.0002). Gene flow was low (0.4429) among populations. Species breeding system and limited gene flow among populations are plausible reasons for the high genetic differentiation observed for this species. We propose an appropriate strategy for conserving the genetic resources of T. tschonoskii in China.     

基于SSR标记探讨三种金花茶植物的遗传多样性和遗传结构

薄叶金花茶、小花金花茶和小瓣金花茶是三种濒危金花茶植物,为了解珍稀濒危植物遗传多样性和遗传结构,该研究利用微卫星标记对他们的7个种群共184个个体进行了遗传多样性和遗传结构分析。结果表明:11个位点共检测到等位基因92个。在物种水平上,小瓣金花茶平均等位基因数(N_A)为3.9、有效等位基因数(N_E)为2.328、观测杂合度(H_o)为0.520、期望杂合度(H_e)为0.501,高于薄叶金花茶和小花金花茶。在种群水平上,有效等位基因数(N_E)在1.788～2.466之间,期望杂合度(H_e)在0.379～0.543之间;种群间遗传分化系数(FST)在0.143 7～0.453 3之间,种群间基因流(N_m)在0.301 5～1.488 9之间。AMOVA分子变异分析显示65.72%的变异存在于种群内。三种金花茶具有较低水平的遗传多样性和高水平的种群间遗传分化。STRUCTURE和PCoA种群遗传结构分析结果将取样种群分为2组,即薄叶金花茶和小花金花茶大部分个体分为一组,小瓣金花茶大部分个体分为一组。现存所有种群应根据实际情况尽快采取就地保护或迁地保护措施。     

AFLP Analysis of Genetic Diversity of the Endangered Species Sinopodophyllum hexandrum in the Tibetan Region of Sichuan Province,China

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to estimate the genetic diversity of seven wild populations of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying from the Tibetan region of Sichuan Province, China. Six primer combinations generated a total of 428 discernible DNA fragments, of which 111 were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 25.93 at the species level, and PPB within population ranged from 4.91 to 12.38%. Genetic diversity (H _E) within populations varied from 0.01 to 0.04, averaging 0.05 at the species level. As revealed by the results of AMOVA analysis, 58.8% of the genetic differentiation occurred between populations, and 41.2% within populations. The genetic differentiation was, perhaps, due to the limited gene flow (N _m=0.43) of the species. The correlation coefficient (r) between genetic and geographical distance using Mantel's test for all populations was 0.698 (P=0.014). The UPGMA cluster analysis revealed a similar result in that the genetic distances among the populations show, to a certain extent, a spatial pattern corresponding to their geographic locations. On the basis of the genetic and ecological information, we propose some appropriate strategies for conserving the endangered S. hexandrum in this region.     

Genetic diversity and structure of Cordyceps sinensis populations from extensive geographical regions in China as revealed by inter-simple sequence repeat markers

Cordyceps sinensis is one of the most valuable medicinal caterpillar fungi native to China. However, its productivity is extremely limited and the species is becoming endangered. The genetic diversity of eighteen C. sinensis populations across its major distributing regions in China was evaluated by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 141 markers were produced in 180 individuals from the 18 populations, of which 99.3% were polymorphic. The low average of Shannon (0.104) and Nei index (0.07) of the 18 populations indicates that there are little genetic variations within populations. For all 18 populations, estimates of total gene diversity (H_T), gene diversity within populations (H_S), coefficient of genetic differentiation (G_ST), and gene flow (Nm) were 0.170, 0.071, 0.583, and 0.357, respectively. This pattern suggests that the genetic diversity of C. sinensis is low and most of the ISSR variations are found among populations with little gene exchange. The 18 populations are divided into five groups based on the genetic distance and the grouping pattern matches with the geographic distribution along the latitudinal gradient. The five groups show obvious difference in the G_ST and Nm values. Therefore, the genetic diversification of C. sinensis populations may be determined by geographic isolation and the combined effects of life history characters and the interaction with host insect species. The information illustrated by this study is useful for selecting in situ conservation sites of C. sinensis.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax pictus</Emphasis> (Araliaceae)

Kalopanax pictus (Araliaceae) is a long-lived woody species primarily distributed throughout East Asia. This species is regarded as medically and ecologically important in Korea. We used starch gel electrophoresis to investigate its allozyme variation and genetic structure in samples from Korean populations (both natural and cultivated). Our analysis of 10 enzymes revealed 18 loci, of which 10 were polymorphic (35.6%). Genetic diversity at the species and population levels were 0.200 and 0.149, respectively, with the mean for cultivated populations (0.124) being lower than for natural (wild) populations (0.181). Asexual and sexual reproduction modes, perennial habitat, and longevity all were possible factors contributing to such high diversity. An indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (N _m = 1.08) indicated that gene flow was not extensive among these Korean populations. Therefore, we suggest that geographical distance as well as reproductive isolation between wild and cultivated plants may play roles in shaping the population structure of this species.     

白芨SSR引物筛选及群体遗传多样性研究

白芨(Bletilla striata Rchb.)为中国珍稀濒危植物,重要的药用植物。该研究基于Illumina测序技术构建白芨基因组文库和微卫星文库,设计白芨微卫星引物,用白芨4个野生种群80个个体对引物进行多态性检测,应用4个白芨近缘种中进行引物的通用性检测,并在此基础上分析了白芨的遗传多样性和遗传分化,以探讨白芨的遗传结构和进化潜能。结果表明:(1)白芨基因组中微卫星片断丰富,共检测出17 841条微卫星片断。基于白芨微卫星库对100个位点设计了引物对,经PCR扩增和检测筛选出能够稳定扩增的多态性位点20个,每个位点的复等位基因数(Na)在2~6之间,平均为3.85;20对引物的大部分能够在4个白芨近缘种中成功扩增。(2)白芨在物种水平均有较高的遗传多样性(Na=3.85,I=1.07,H=0.614 7),白芨种群遗传分化强烈(Gst=0.43),居群间的基因流较弱(Nm=0.867 6),居群聚类分析结果均表明地理距离较近的居群具有较近的遗传关系。     

中国近海细鳞鯻线粒体控制区的遗传多样性

通过线粒体控制区序列的分析,研究采自中国南海及东海5个群体102尾细鳞鯻的遗传多样性。发现在962 bp序列中有205个变异位点,其中135个为简约信息位点,共定义102个单倍型。中国近海细鳞鯻总体呈现出较高的遗传多样性特征(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.022),其中博鳌最高(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.028),平潭最低(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.014)。不同地理群体间无明显分化,基因交流频繁(Fst=-0.014—0.041,P0.05);中性检验均为显著负值,推测在16.9万年—5.06万年前,即中-晚更新世出现种群扩张。系统邻接树和单倍型网络图均出现3个显著分化的谱系(谱系间Fst=0.508—0.698,P0.001;净遗传距离Da=0.024—0.031),且各谱系中均有不同地理来源的群体。3个谱系间分歧时间大约在1.07百万年—0.24百万年前,推测可能是更新世冰期边缘海的出现导致群体隔离而产生分化。谱系A(Lineage A)包含85.3%的个体,其总体遗传多样性较高(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.012),其中平潭最高(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.014),合浦最低(Hd=1.000,Pi=0.010);群体间Fst在-0.021—0.068之间,P0.005;AMOVA分析显示只有1.97%的变异来自于种群间,表明群体间也无明显分化;中性检验均为显著负值,推测在25.4万年—7.6万年前出现种群扩张。中国近海细鳞鯻主要受到中-晚更新世海侵和海退的影响而出现种群扩张使得谱系间发生二次接触,最终形成具有显著谱系结构但无地理分化的情况。     

Life history and production of filter-feeding insects on stone dikes in the lower Mississippi River

Population and production dynamics of two filter-feeding macroinvertebrates, the caddisfly Hydropsyche orris and the midge Rheotanytarsus sp., were examined in the lower Mississippi River Miles 510–515. Samples were collected from September to November 1987, May to December 1988, and March to May 1989 from stone dikes that protrude into the river. Developmental synchrony was high among individuals in both populations, and seasonal changes in the relative abundance of instars indicated bivoltine and trivoltine life cycles for H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp., respectively. The size frequency method was used to estimate production (P) and biomass (B) of each cohort in each population. P/B ratios for spring and fall cohorts of H. orris equaled 4.5 and 3.7. Spring, summer, and fall cohorts of Rheotanytarsus sp. had P/B ratios of 4.0, 4.7, and 4.1, respectively. Annual production, estimated as the sum of cohort production values, of the H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp. population equaled 10.1 and 0.359 g m^–2 (dry weight). Annual P/B ratios equaled 10.8 and 16.1 for the H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp. populations, closely matching values expected for bivoltine and trivoltine populations, respectively. Annual production of H. orris is in the low end of the range of published estimates for other lotic hydropsychid populations inhabiting coarse substratum in warm, lowland rivers of medium size or small, trophically enriched streams. Annual production of Rheotanytarsus sp. is the first such estimate based on a simultaneous assessment of life cycle and production. Given the lack of naturally occurring gravel and cobble substrate in the lower Mississippi River, stone dikes are an especially important habitat for H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp.     

Population structure and genetic diversity distribution in wild and cultivated populations of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Magnolia officinalis subsp. biloba (Magnoliaceae)

Magnolia officinalis subsp. biloba, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, experienced severe declines in the number of populations and the number of individuals in the late 20th century due to the widespread harvest of the subspecies. A large-scale cultivation program was initiated and cultivated populations rapidly recovered the loss in individual plant numbers, but wild populations remained small as a consequence of cutting. In this study, the levels of genetic variation and genetic structure of seven wild populations and five domestic populations of M. officinalis subsp. biloba were estimated employing an AFLP methodology. The plant exhibited a relatively high level of intra-population genetic diversity (h = 0.208 and H _j = 0.268). The cultivated populations maintained approximately 95% of the variation exhibited in wild populations, indicating a slight genetic bottleneck in the cultivated populations. The analysis of genetic differentiation revealed that most of the AFLP diversity resided within populations both for the wild group (78.22%) and the cultivated group (85.92%). Genetic differentiation among populations in the wild group was significant (F _ST = 0.1092, P < 0.005), suggesting wild population level genetic structure. Principal coordinates analysis (PCO) did not discern among wild and cultivated populations, indicating that alleles from the wild population were maintained in the cultivated gene pool. Results from the present study provide important baseline data for effectively conserving the genetic resources of this medicinal subspecies.     

Population Genetic structure ofPotentilla fragariodes var.major (Rosaceae) in Korea

The genetic diversity and population structure of eighteenPotentilla fragariodes var.major (Rosaceae) populations in Korea were determined using genetic variations at 22 allozyme loci. The percent of polymorphic loci within the enzymes was 66.7%. Genetic diversity at the species level and at the population level was high (Hes = 0.203; Hep = 0.185, respectively), whereas the extent of the population divergence was relatively low (G_ST = 0.069). F_IS, a measure of the deviation from random mating within the 18 populations, was 0.075. An indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (Nm = 3.36) indicated that gene flow was high among Korean populations of the species. In addition, analysis of fixation indices revealed a slight heterozygote deficiency in some populations and at some loci. Wide geographic ranges, perennial herbaceous nature and the persistence of multiple generations are associated with the high level of genetic variation. AlthoughP. fragariodes var.major usually propagated by asexually-produced ramets, we could not rule out the possibility that sexual reproduction occurred at a low rate because each ramet may produce terminal flowers. Mean genetic identity between populations was 0.983. It is highly probable that directional movement toward genetic uniformity in a relatively homogeneous habitat operates among Korean populations ofP. fragariodes var.major.     

Genetic diversity among geographically separated populations of Nepenthes mirabilis

The distribution of Nepenthes mirabilis ranges from Northeast (NE) to South (S) Thailand. Eleven individuals from NE, S and Suen Jatujak market in Bangkok, Central (C) Thailand, were collected and divided into four populations according to their geographical areas. These four populations were analyzed to determine a genetic diversity profile using thirteen inter-simple sequence repeat markers. The individuals produced 75.18% polymorphic banding profiles. The Shannon’s index was used to estimate genetic diversity. Total genetic diversity (H _T) and inter-population genetic diversity (H _S) were 0.854 and 0.678, respectively. The degree of genetic differentiation (G _ST) of the species populations is 0.206, whereas the gene flow (Nm) among all the various geographical area populations is 1.016. Both the dendrogram and the results of the Shannon’s diversity index suggest great genetic diversity. These results support the broad range of distribution sites of Nepenthes mirabilis, which would require high genetic diversity to adapt to the environmental variations that can be found between NE, C, and S Thailand. ANOVA shows that the genetic diversity in each population is not significantly different (P > 0.05). Mantel tests reveal that geographical distance is an important factor for affecting the genetic distances among populations.     

A Study of Conservation Genetics in Cupressus chengiana,an Endangered Endemic of China,Using ISSR Markers

ISSR markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic structure of eight natural populations of Cupressus chengiana in China. ISSR analysis using 10 primers was carried out on 92 different samples. At the species level, 136 polymorphic loci were detected. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 99%. Genetic diversity (H _e) was 0.3120, effective number of alleles (A _e) was 1.5236, and Shannon’s information index (I) was 0.4740. At the population level, PPB = 48%, A _e=1.2774, H _e=0.1631, and I=0.2452. Genetic differentiation (G _st) detected by Nei’s genetic diversity analysis suggested 48% occurred among populations. The partitioning of molecular variance by AMOVA analysis indicated significant genetic differentiation within populations (54%) and among populations (46%; P < 0.0003). The average number of individuals exchanged between populations per generation (N _m ) was 0.5436. Samples from the same population clustered in the same population-specific cluster, and two groups of Sichuan and Gansu populations were distinguishable. A significantly positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance was detected (r=0.6701). Human impacts were considered one of the main factors to cause the rarity of C. chengiana, and conservation strategies are suggested based on the genetic characters and field investigation, e.g., protection of wild populations, reestablishment of germplasm bank, and reintroduction of more genetic diversity.