RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA (RAPD) MARKERS REVEAL GENETIC HOMOGENEITY IN THE ENDANGERED HIMALAYAN SPECIES MECONOPSIS-PANICULATA AND M-SIMPLICIFOLIA

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker-based analysis was carr ied out to study the extent of genetic polymorphism between population s of the two endangered Himalayan poppy species, Meconopsis paniculata and M. simplicifolia. Of the 90 primers tested, 38 revealed marked in ter-species genetic polymorphism between individuals of the two specie s from geographically isolated populations. However, intra-species gen etic homogeneity was also evident with respect to a number of primers both within and between populations. A comprehensive analysis incorpor ating data from RAPDs, DNA fingerprinting and isozyme pattern was carr ied out and, based on the presence or absence of bands, three matrices of similarity indices were estimated. These matrices were subsequentl y utilized in cluster analysis. In order to compare the three clusters generated using these three different marker systems, a Mantel matrix -correspondence test was carried out on the basis of comparisons of co -phenetic values. The overall representation of relationships by clust er analysis was similar for all three marker systems and this was subs tantiated by high correlations among the three analyses revealed by th e Mantel matrix-correspondence test. Our results point to very low or absence of, genetic polymorphism in M. paniculata and M. simplicifolia , and are in broad agreement with our previous observations on genetic diversity of Meconopsis species which point to a genetic basis for th e possible extinction of this economically important genus.