Extremely low level of genetic diversity in Gentiana yakushimensis , an endangered species in Yakushima Island, Japan

A rare and endangered plant species, Gentiana yakushimensis, found exclusively on Yakushima Island, Japan, exhibits extremely low genetic diversity and high inbreeding levels compared to its congener. Population genetic analysis using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed that the species likely experienced a population expansion during the Last Glacial Maximum followed by a recent bottleneck event. This demographic history suggests that the current low genetic diversity may not fully reflect recent reductions in population size, necessitating long-term monitoring to understand the time lag between population decline and genetic diversity changes. The study highlights the importance of assessing conservation priorities for endangered species using population genetics.

Ishii, N. I., Hirota, S. K., Tsunamoto, Y., Matsuo, A., Abe, H., & Suyama, Y. (2022). Extremely low level of genetic diversity in Gentiana yakushimensis , an endangered species in Yakushima Island, Japan. Plant Species Biology, 37(5), 315–326. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1442-1984.12383