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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2003; 5(5): 504-512
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-44787
Original Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Allozyme Diversity and Conservation Status of the Coastal Sand Dune Plant Stachys maritima (Lamiaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula

J. López-Pujol 1 , M. R. Orellana 1 , M. Bosch 1 , J. Simon 1 , C. Blanché 1
  • 1GReB, Laboratori de Botànica, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 November 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to evaluate levels and distribution of genetic diversity in Iberian populations of the threatened coastal sand dune plant Stachys maritima (Lamiaceae). During the last century, this species was subjected to severe habitat fragmentation, mainly as a consequence of tourism activities and urban pressures, with a decreasing of area up to 99 % in the Iberian Peninsula and a remaining total population size of ca. 250 individuals. Extremely low levels of genetic variation were detected (P = 14.0, A = 1.16 and H e = 0.066). From the 20 interpretable loci found, only 4 were polymorphic and another one, the Idh-2 locus, showed a fixed heterozygous banding pattern, which may be attributed to gene duplication. Low values of diversity can be related to small population size and isolation of populations. The degree of threat has been increased from vulnerable (VU) to critically endangered (CR), according to the IUCN criteria. Conservation policies should be focused on maintaining population size and gene flow, in addition to preserving its habitat, although reintroductions and reinforcements appear to be necessary to ensure long-term viability of populations.

Key words

Stachys maritima - habitat fragmentation - Lamiaceae - allozyme electrophoresis - conservation.

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J. López-Pujol

GReB, Laboratori de Botànica, Facultat de Farmàcia
Universitat de Barcelona

Avda. Joan XXIII s/n

08028 Barcelona

Catalonia, Spain

Email: jlopez@farmacia.far.ub.es

Section Editor: M. Koornneef