Genetic polymorphism in waxweed (Red Book of the Russian Federation) in North-West Russia

Background. Waxweed (Myrica gale L.) is a protected plant species found in the Russian Federation only in the Leningrad District and Karelia. It is almost not studied from the genetic point of view. This species is presumably hexaploid; it propagates mainly vegetatively, and the role of sexual reproduction in the life cycle of waxweed is unclear. All waxweed populations in the Russian Federation are small and belong to the edge ones (occupy the easternmost positions in the range). The aim of the study: to investigate genomic DNA polymorphism in waxweed populations in the Russian Federation, and to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction in propagation and dispersal of this species. Materials and methods. AFLP-analysis of waxweed genomic DNA in 6 natural populations (5 populations in the Leningrad District, 1 in Karelia). Using 3 pairs of primers, we studied waxweed genomic polymorphism for 22 DNA fragments. Results. Each of the studied waxweed populations is genetically polymorphic. Among 182 analyzed plants we distinguished 27 different AFLP-genotypes, two of which were common in all populations studied. Most of others AFLP genotypes (20) were represented just by a single plant or a couple of plants. Some of these rare AFLP genotypes are likely the results of mutation and/or recombination processes affecting the common AFLP genotypes. Conclusion. The role of sexual reproduction in waxweed propagation, although minor, is noticeable.