藻类植物叶绿体基因组研究进展

藻类植物的cpDNA结构复杂,普遍缺失反向重复序列IR,且存在IR的藻类植物种类的cpDNA也有IR变短退化迹象.藻类植物的cpDNA包含的基因一般比高等植物要多,编码能力更强.藻类植物cpDNA全序列的测定方法主要是Fosmid文库构建,配合使用Long-PCR技术.该文对国内外有关藻类植物叶绿体基因组结构、叶绿体编码基因、叶绿体基因组在藻类系统发育中的应用以及藻类植物叶绿体基因组的提取和序列测定方法等进行综述,为藻类植物的系统发育和叶绿体起源以及功能基因组学的研究提供理论依据.     

大粒香水稻叶绿体基因组特征分析

大粒香作为贵州重要的优质稻资源,推广种植面积大,并且在乡村振兴过程中为社会带来了较高的经济效益。然而,目前对大粒香基因组学的理论研究报道较少。为揭示大粒香水稻叶绿体基因组(cpDNA)特征及系统发育关系,该研究对大粒香叶绿体进行测序,并分析其基因组特征。结果表明:(1)大粒香水稻cpDNA全长134 563 bp,包括1个大单拷贝区(LSC,80 864 bp)、1个小单拷贝区(SSC,12 347 bp)和2个反向重复序列区(IR_s,20 676 bp)。(2)注释到129个基因,可分为蛋白编码、tRNA和rRNA三类基因,数量分别为85个、36个和8个。(3)密码子偏好分析显示,大粒香cpDNA密码子偏好A碱基或U(T)碱基,亮氨酸密码子使用了1 944次,使用次数最多; 半胱氨酸的密码子仅使用198次,使用次数最少。(4)检测到129个SSR,其中有95个单核苷酸重复且大部分SSR序列由A/T碱基组成。(5)系统发育分析结果显示,大粒香与热带粳稻亲缘关系最近,聚为一类。该研究结果揭示了大粒香叶绿体基因组信息,并确定了大粒香系统发育所属分支。     

桃儿七叶绿体比较基因组学分析

为探究桃儿七(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum)不同叶绿体基因组特征,本研究以桃儿七5个叶绿体基因组为研究对象,借助生物信息学工具进行基因组图谱构建、重复序列分析、密码子偏好分析、反向重复序列区(inverted repeat, IR)/单拷贝区(single-copy, SC)边界分析、基因组序列比较分析及系统发育分析。结果表明:桃儿七5个叶绿体基因组全长为157 203–157 940 bp,为典型的叶绿体四分体结构,共注释出133–137个基因,说明桃儿七叶绿体基因组具有多样性。桃儿七不同叶绿体基因组简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat, SSR)位点不同,单核苷酸A/T占主要优势,散在重复序列包括正向重复、回文重复和反向重复3类。密码子偏好分析显示有效密码子(effective number of codon,ENc)值为51.14–51.17,密码子偏好性弱,GC与GC3s所占比例小于50%,密码子偏向使用A和U碱基并且以A和U碱基结尾。桃儿七5个叶绿体基因组IR/SC边界和基因组序列均比较保守。系统发育分析结果表明桃儿七和北美桃儿七亲...     

江西野生寒兰居群遗传结构与遗传多样性研究

该研究采用叶绿体基因组片段(petB-petD)和核基因组ITS序列,对分布于江西的寒兰17个自然居群的252个体进行遗传结构与遗传多样性分析,以明确江西野生寒兰遗传多样性水平与居群遗传结构特征,为探寻江西寒兰资源数量锐减以及保护提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)nrDNA ITS序列长度652～658 bp,总变异位点140处,变异位点百分率为21.3%～21.5%,(G+C)含量为58.9%～67.1%。cpDNA序列长度522～529 bp,有变异位点9处,变异位点百分率为1.70%～1.72%,(G+C)含量为32.9%～33.7%。(2)分子方差分析(AMOVA)表明,种群内的遗传变异大于种群间变异,cpDNA片段居群间的遗传变异为40.76%,居群内为59.24%;ITS居群间的遗传变异为28.96%,居群内为71.04%;基因流(N_m)较大,cpDNA片段N_m为1.226 5; ITS N_m为0.726 7。(3)ITS和cpDNA数据失配分析和中性检验均表明江西寒兰野生居群在历史近期经历了扩张事件,nrDNA ITS序列较叶绿体序列进化较快,变异速率也较快。     

秦巴山区漆树nrDNAITS和cpDNA序列分子进化特点的分析

应用PCR产物直接测序法分析漆树种群nrDNA （核糖体DNA） ITS序列和cpDNA序列（matK、rbcL、psbA-trnH）的碱基差异,初步研究两套植物基因组的变异速率。结果表明：nrDNA ITS序列共有518 bp,有变异位点15处,变异位点百分率为2.9%,（G+C）含量为61.8%。cpDNA序列合并后长度1 907 bp,有变异位点20处,变异位点百分率为1.05%,（G+C）含量为36.1%。通过对ITS序列核糖型（Ribotype）和叶绿体序列单倍型（Haploype）进行分析发现,秦巴山区漆树区域性分布明显,不同区域拥有自己独特的单倍型,漆树居群历史近期没有扩张。nrDNA ITS序列较叶绿体序列进化较快,变异速率较快。nrDNA ITS序列及叶绿体matK、psbA-trnH适合漆树的亲缘地理学研究。     

羌活(Notopterygium incisum)nrDNAITS和cpDNA rpl20-rps1序列分子进化特点的分析

应用PCR产物直接测序法分析了羌活居群间nrDNA(核糖体DNA)ITS序列和cpDNA(叶绿体DNA)rpl20-rps12的碱基差异,从而初步研究两套植物基因组的变异速率。采用改良的CTAB法从硅胶干燥的羌活叶片中提取总DNA,并对nrDNA ITS和cpDNA rpl20-rps12区域进行扩增、纯化、测序。nrDNAITS序列共有635 bp,有变异位点17处,变异位点百分率为2.68%,(G+C)含量为57.83%。cpDNA rpl20-rps12序列共有767 bp,有变异位点35处,变异位点百分率4.56%,(G+C)含量为33.06%。比较发现,羌活nrDNAITS区域较cpDNA rpl20-rps12序列保守,变异速率较慢。通过对ITS和rpl20-rps12序列单倍型(haplotype)进行分析发现,两者得出的结论一致,即现有分布范围经历了居群近期范围扩张。因此,羌活nrDNA ITS序列适合该种的谱系地理学研究。     

高山特有植物丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组结构和系统发育关系

本文基于高通量技术对丽江棱子芹(Pleurospermum foetens)的叶绿体基因组进行测序,并对丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组结构特征及其系统进化关系进行了分析。结果表明,丽江棱子芹的叶绿体基因组具备典型的四分体结构,基因组全长155 057 bp,包含87个蛋白编码基因、 8个核糖体RNA基因和39个转运RNA基因。生物信息学分析结果显示,叶绿体基因组共编码26 075个密码子,编码异亮氨酸Ile的ATT数量最多,除终止子外编码半胱氨酸Cys的TGC数量最少,相对同义密码子使用度最高的为UUA,最少的是AGC; SSR位点共预测到了34个,包括单核苷酸重复序列27个,双核苷酸重复序列4个,以及复合型重复序列3个。丽江棱子芹与棱子芹属(Pleurospermum)其他植物相比较,其基因组大小、基因类型及GC含量相近。利用IQ-TREE软件构建最大似然树,结果表明丽江棱子芹与线裂棱子芹(P.linearilobum)的亲缘关系最近,棱子芹属为多系类群。该研究丰富了丽江棱子芹叶绿体基因组的遗传信息,为丽江棱子芹的分子标记的开发、遗传多样性和谱系地理研究等奠定了理论基础,同时也为构建伞形科...     

白花除虫菊叶绿体基因组特征及系统发育研究

白花除虫菊(Tanacetum cinerariifolium)是全球唯一集约化种植的杀虫园艺作物,从其头状花序提取的天然除虫菊酯广泛应用于有机农业和家居害虫防控,具有极高的商业价值。本研究通过Illumina HiSeq 2500测序平台对白花除虫菊叶绿体基因组进行了测序,并对其结构特征及系统进化关系进行了分析。结果表明,白花除虫菊叶绿体基因组为典型的四分体结构,基因组大小为150 171 bp,包括84个蛋白质编码基因、 37个转运RNA基因和8个核糖体RNA基因;密码子偏好性分析发现其叶绿体基因组中密码子末端偏好以A和U结尾,其中亮氨酸的密码子是最常用的,其使用UUA密码子的频率最高,RSCU值为1.88。在其叶绿体基因组中鉴定到简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat, SSR)位点共41个,包含37个单核苷酸重复序列、 4个复合型核苷酸重复序列;基于菊科(Asteraceae)39个叶绿体基因组序列构建的系统发育树表明,其叶绿体基因组高度保守,除近缘红花除虫菊(T.coccineum)外,除虫菊类与同为菊科的植物蒿子杆(Ismelia carinata)亲缘...     

白花刺续断野生居群的叶绿体全基因组特征解析

白花刺续断在中国西藏是一种常用的药用植物,但其叶绿体全基因组的相关研究较少。为揭示该物种叶绿体全基因组的基本特征并探讨其谱系遗传结构,该研究利用Illumina测序平台对来自5个野生居群的10个白花刺续断个体进行二代测序,经组装、注释,得到10条完整的叶绿体全基因组序列,并对它们的基因组特征和居群间的谱系进化关系进行了初步研究。结果表明：(1)白花刺续断的叶绿体全基因组大小为155 335～156 266 bp,共注释113个基因,包括72个蛋白编码基因、30个tRNA基因和4个rRNA基因,其叶绿体基因组的大小、结构、GC含量及基因组成等方面在种内高度保守。(2)基因组比较分析表明,白花刺续断变异较大的片段均位于单拷贝区,且IR边界未出现明显的扩张和收缩。(3)群体遗传分析发现,白花刺续断的野生居群具有明显的地理遗传结构,不同居群间在遗传距离与地理距离上具有一定的相关性。研究认为,白花刺续断叶绿体基因组在种内居群水平上比较保守,且叶绿体基因组可在居群水平上揭示物种的地理遗传结构。这为后续开展刺续断属物种群体遗传学和系统发育基因组学研究奠定了基础。     

基于cpDNA非编码序列的北沙柳遗传多样性分析

为揭示北沙柳(Salix psammophila)的遗传多样性、遗传结构及分化特征,利用叶绿体非编码区序列(trnL-trnF和trnD-trnT)对分布于毛乌素沙地和库布齐沙漠的16个北沙柳居群(339个个体)进行了遗传研究,为北沙柳种子资源库遗传管理、遗传改良、遗传育种及品种选育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)经trnL-trnF和trnD-trnT片段联合比对获得了1811 bp序列,共有12个核苷酸变异位点(8个简约信息位点,4个变异位点),得到16个单倍型。(2)单倍型多样性指数(Hd)为0.737,核苷酸多样性指数(π)为0.00107;且单倍型H3的分布在所有居群中位于单倍型网络图中心,其余单倍型随机分布于各个居群。(3)AMOVA分析表明,北沙柳cpDNA的变异主要来源于居群内(91.16%),居群间遗传分化程度中等(FST=0.08837),各居群间的基因交流非常频繁(Nm=2.58);遗传分化系数NST(0.085)显著大于GST(0.056,0.01相似文献   

珍稀濒危飘带兜兰叶绿体全基因组种内变异研究(附录)

飘带兜兰(Paphiopedilum parishii)分布范围狭窄,仅在中国、缅甸、泰国以及老挝有少量分布。近年来,因生境破坏和人为滥采而导致飘带兜兰野生种群极度缩减。为开发种内多态性的分子标记用于保护生物学研究,该研究对飘带兜兰4个野生个体经测序、组装、注释获得的叶绿体基因组序列,与已公布的飘带兜兰2个个体的叶绿体全基因组序列进行比对,分析飘带兜兰叶绿体基因组的种内差异。结果表明:(1)飘带兜兰叶绿体基因组具有典型被子植物叶绿体基因组环状四分体结构,基因组长度为154 403～154 809 bp,共编码129个基因,包括78个蛋白质编码基因、39个tRNA基因、8个rRNA基因,以及4个假基因。(2)在飘带兜兰6个个体叶绿体基因组中检测到103～107个SSRs(simple sequence repeats)位点,其中21个SSR位点具有多态性。此外,在6个个体叶绿体基因组中还检测到60个长序列重复,包括17～21个正向重复、18～29个反向重复、9～16个回文重复、4～9个互补重复。(3)通过比较6个个体叶绿体基因组序列的核苷酸多样性,共发现70处变异,包括10个SNPs(single nucleotide polymorphism)、60个插入缺失(InDels)。其中,有3个SNP位点发生了非同义替换,导致编码功能基因的氨基酸发生改变; 19个插入缺失多态性较高,具有开发为分子标记的潜力。(4)通过计算核苷酸多样性值(P_i)共发现8个有变异的区域,P_i值为0～0.006 32,其中变异度较大的是rps3-rpl22、trnL-UAC-rpl32、rpoB-trnC-GCA以及ycf4,这些高变区可开发为分子标记用于评估飘带兜兰遗传多样性。(5)系统发生分析结果表明,飘带兜兰6个个体叶绿体基因组序列聚在一起,与长瓣兜兰互为姐妹群。综上表明,飘带兜兰叶绿体基因组的SSRs、长序列重复、SNPs、InDels以及核苷酸序列呈现了足够的种内多样性,可开发成分子标记用于该种的系统演化及保护生物学研究。     

Protecting evolutionary significant units for the remnant populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Berchemiella wilsonii</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">pubipetiolata</Emphasis> (Rhamnaceae)

Berchemiella wilsonii var. pubipetiolata (Rhamnaceae) is an endangered tree in eastern China. Habitat destruction has resulted in fragmentation of remnant populations and extinction of local populations. AFLP and cpDNA markers were used to determine the population structure of remnant populations of B. wilsonii var. pubipetiolata. Moderate nuclear genomic diversity was found within each of the four remnant populations (H _S = 0.141–0.172), while the cpDNA haplotype diversity in each population ranged from 0.356 to 0.681. Six haplotypes were identified by a combined cpRFLP and cpSSR analysis in a total of 89 individuals. AMOVA revealed significantly AFLP genetic differentiation within and between regions (Φ_SC = 0.196, Φ_CT = 0.396, respectively), and a high cpDNA haplotype differentiation between regions (Φ_CT = 0.849). The results suggest low gene flow between populations of B. wilsonii var. pubipetiolata. Strong genetic divergence between two regional populations as revealed by both AFLP and cpDNA markers provided convincing evidence that two distinct evolutionary lineages existed, and should be recognized as ‘evolutionary significant units’ (ESUs) for conservation concerns.     

红锥叶绿体基因组特征及系统发育分析

为确定红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)叶绿体基因组的结构组成情况,判定其在锥属中的进化位置及与同锥属叶绿体基因组的区别,为锥属物种鉴定、遗传多样性分析和资源保护提供相关依据。使用Illumina HiSeq 2500测序平台对红锥叶绿体基因组进行测序,通过生物信息学分析方法进行序列组装、注释和特征分析,并利用R、Python、MISA、CodonW和MEGA 6等生物信息学软件对其基因组结构和数目、密码子偏好性、序列重复、简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat,SSR)位点和系统发育进行分析。结果表明红锥叶绿体基因组大小为153754 bp,呈现四分体结构;共拥有130个基因,包含85个编码基因、37个tRNA基因和8个rRNA基因;通过密码子偏好性分析,平均有效密码子数为55.5,说明其密码子随机性强、偏好性低;通过SSR及长重复片段分析,检测到45个重复序列及111个SSR位点;与近缘种比较,发现其叶绿体基因组序列高度保守,尤其蛋白质编码序列相似度极高;此外,系统发育分析发现红锥与海南锥聚为一支,关系密切。本研究得到了红锥的叶绿体基因组基本情况与系统发育位置,为红锥的物种辨别、天然种群遗传多样性与功能基因组学提供前期研究铺垫。     

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。     

Pollen-mediated gene flow promotes low nuclear genetic differentiation among populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cycas debaoensis</Emphasis> (Cycadaceae)

Cycas debaoensis is a critically endangered cycad species endemic to China. This species is found on two kinds of habitats according to the edaphic differences, sand and karst. A previous chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) study indicated that C. debaoensis had low genetic variation within populations and high genetic differentiation among populations. Because maternally inherited cpDNA does not fully characterize genetic structure of the species, we screened seven low-copy nuclear genes and 17 nuclear microsatellite loci to detect the nuclear genetic diversity, differentiation, and the population structure of C. debaoensis. The nuclear genes revealed higher level of genetic diversity. There were both the same and region-specific haplotypes or alleles between the karst and sand regions. Nuclear gene flow among all the populations was much greater than that of cpDNA, which indicated that pollen-mediated gene flow was much greater than seed-mediated gene flow. This promoted low nuclear genetic differentiation among populations of C. debaoensis. The study suggests that both genetic and anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in the critically endangered status of C. debaoensis.     

Strong Genetic Differentiation of Primula sikkimensis in the East Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains

The East Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains region is the center of diversity of the genus Primula, and P. sikkimensis is one of the most common members of the genus in the region. In this study, the genetic diversity and structure of P. sikkimensis populations in China were assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and chloroplast microsatellite markers. The 254 individuals analyzed represented 13 populations. High levels of genetic diversity were revealed by ISSR markers. At the species level, the expected heterozygosity and Shannon’s index were 0.4032 and 0.5576, respectively. AMOVA analysis showed that 50.3% of the total genetic diversity was partitioned among populations. Three pairs of chloroplast microsatellite primers tested yielded a total of 12 size variants and 15 chloroplast haplotypes. Strong cpDNA genetic differentiation (G _ST = 0.697) and evidence for phylogeographic structure were detected (N _ST = 0.788, significantly higher than G _ST). Estimated rates of pollen-mediated gene flow are approximately 27% greater than estimated rates of seed-mediated gene flow in P. sikkimensis. Both seed and pollen dispersal, however, are limited, and gene flow among populations appears to be hindered by the patchiness of the species’ habitats and their geographic isolation. These features may have played important roles in shaping the genetic structure of P. sikkimensis. A minimum-spanning tree of chloroplast DNA haplotypes was constructed, and possible glacial refugia of P. sikkimensis were identified.     

High RAPD but no cpDNA sequence variation in the endemic and endangered plant, Heptacodium miconioides Rehd. (Caprifoliaceae)

Heptacodium miconioides Rehd. is an endangered species endemic to China and has suffered rapid decrease of distribution range and population size. This species has been disappeared in central China where the modal specimen was collected. We analyzed the genetic variation of the remaining populations to reveal whether the genetic diversity also suffered decrease and to provide some suggestions for conservation. All the nine known remaining populations were sampled. Genetic variation was analyzed based on RAPD markers and two fragments of cpDNA sequence, intergenic spacers of petG-trnP and trnS-trnG. No variation was observed in the two fragments of cpDNA sequence. However, the species exhibited high level of RAPD variation compared to other threatened or rare plants. Measures of genetic diversity within populations were strongly related to the log of estimated population size, indicating that large populations usually have more genetic diversity than that of small ones. About 25% of the variation was partitioned among populations. Significant relationship was observed between differentiation and geographical distance, indicating a pattern of isolation-by-distance. Given for few populations remaining, all the populations should be protected and urgent efforts be paid on the small populations to avoid their local extinction.     

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。     

Chloroplast DNA study in wild populations and some cultivars of Prunus avium L.

The PCR-RFLP technique was used to detect chloroplast DNA diversity in wild populations of Prunus avium from five European deciduous forests and some cultivars. A study of 10.8% of the total chloroplast genome detected eight insertion-deletion (indel) mutations, distributed over 12 haplotypes. Six haplotypes (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 and H6) were found in wild populations and eight (H2, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, H11 and H12) in the cultivars. Only two haplotypes (H2 and H6) are shared by the wild populations and the cultivars. The most-abundant and frequent haplotype in wild populations is H2 (frequency=78%). The wider geographical distribution along with the high frequency reflects its ancient origin. Of the five populations, three are polymorphic. Populations GA (Scotland) and KE (Germany) have unique haplotypes. The total cpDNA diversity in wild populations is h_T=0.40, and a major portion of it is within populations (h_S=0.37). The genetic differentiation among populations was low (G_STC=0.08) and no genetic structure among wild populations was observed. A minimum-length spanning tree, demonstrating relationships among the haplotypes in wild populations, indicated two possible chloroplast lineages. The ten identified cultivars were represented by seven haplotypes; this result proposes the possible utilisation of the PCR-RFLP technique for the characterisation of sweet cherry cultivars. The cpDNA diversity in P. avium should be considered carefully for phylogenetic studies involving this species. Received: 10 July 2000 / Accepted: 19 October 2000     

Genetic structure of the endangered Leucomeris decora (Asteraceae) in China inferred from chloroplast and nuclear DNA markers

The genetic variation and structure of Leucomeris decora, an endangered species in China were investigated. Analyses of three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions (the rpl16 intron, trnQ-5′rps16 intergenic spacer and rpl32-trnL intergenic spacer) and one nuclear gene (GAPDH: encoding glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were conducted on 11 L. decora populations. Low levels of cpDNA genetic diversity were found in this species and within populations, with the identification of 2 haplotypes in a total of 2,745 bp, while the level of genetic diversity revealed by the nuclear gene GAPDH was relatively high, indicating that random losses of genetic polymorphisms from populations may have occurred recently. High levels of genetic differentiation among populations for both markers were detected in L. decora, which could be a consequence of the limited gene flow caused by geographic isolation among populations. An analysis of molecular variance revealed at the nuclear locus suggested the presence of geographic structure within the haplotype distribution possibly due to geographical barriers among populations. The haplotype network and mismatch distribution analyses did not detect the signal for a recent population expansion in L. decora. L. decora may persist in situ during climatic oscillations. Based on the genetic diversity and uniqueness of the populations, conservation strategies are discussed for this endangered species.