LOW GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE SCOTTISH ENDEMIC PRIMULA-SCOTICA HOOK

Primula scotica Hook., a rare Scottish endemic, is threatened with ext inction due to habitat destruction. A survey of genetic variability wi thin the species was conducted on five populations from the Orkney isl ands and nine from the Scottish mainland. Isozyme analysis revealed va riation between individuals at only one of 15 enzyme encoding loci exa mined, while a survey of DNA sequence variation via RAPD analysis reve aled no genetic diversity either within or between a subsample of four populations surveyed. Individuals exhibited a 'fixed' heterozygous ty pe at seven of the enzyme encoding loci, indicating that P. scotica is of allopolyploid origin. Despite the high level of heterozygosity per individual and the biochemical diversity that may stem from it, the s pecies remains restricted to a very specific habitat. Implications for the conservation of the species are considered, including the need fo r habitat protection.