Rules and exceptions in conservation genetics: genetic assessment of the endangered plant Cordylanthus palmatus and its implications for management planning

We analyzed genetic variability among the four naturally-occurring populati ons of the endangered plant Cordylanthus palmatus to test whether a central tenet of conservation genetics - large populations are more genetically di verse than small populations held true in our study system and to guide lon g-term conservation planning for the species. Genetic variability in C. pal matus was moderate at the species level but relatively low in several popul ations. About 2% of the measured genetic variation was attributable to vari ation between populations. Genetic variability in C. palmatus did not incre ase with population size. The two largest populations were relatively invar iate and genetically similar, and neither contained any unique alleles. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.