Conservation genetics of an endangered herb, Hanabusaya asiatica (Campanulaceae)

Hanabusaya asiatica (Nakai) Nakai (Campanulaceae), a bee-pollinated, perenn ial herb, is restricted to the mountainous regions of the eastern-central K orean peninsula. Allozyme analyses for 348 individuals assessed the levels of genetic diversity for five populations. Spatial autocorrelation statisti cs were also used to examine the spatial distribution of allozyme polymorph isms. The species maintains high levers of allozyme diversity (H-eS = 0.217 ) and it exhibits low allozyme differentiation among populations (G(ST) = 0 .132) compared with other endemics (mean H-e = 0.096, G(ST) = 0.248). There is an apparent pattern of isolation by distance among populations. These r esults suggest that H. asiatica is at a genetic equilibrium. A considerable deficit in numbers of heterozygotes suggests mating among relatives in pop ulations. At least three populations of H. asiatica should be sampled or co nserved to capture or maintain >99% of the genetic diversity in the species as a whole. Within local populations, individuals are distributed in a str uctured, isolation by distance. manner. Approximate genetic patch width in the populations of H. asiatica examined is 5 - 8 m. For conservation purpos es, it is suggested that, in general, the sampling of H. asiatica should be conducted at intervals in order to efficiently sample the genetic diversit y across an entire population.