Population genetics of an endangered desert shrub endemic to northwestern China

Abstract

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to northwestern China. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci obtained by Genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) method were used to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of the species for developing conservation strategies. A moderate level of genetic diversity was (mean H_E = 0.16) detected for the species, and sampled sites were grouped into two genetically distinct clusters by Bayesian assignment, principal coordinates analyses, and maximum-likelihood (ML) tree. The moderate level of genetic diversity is likely due to its reproductive characteristics and long-lived life-history traits, and the strong genetic differentiation between the two clusters suggests a positive response to habitat fragmentation. Based on the results, we provide useful conservation strategies for this species.