Genetic diversity of Castanea sativa an endangered species in the Hyrcanian forest

A study on the genetic diversity of Castanea sativa, an endangered tree species in Iran's Hyrcanian Forest, reveals significant genetic erosion and population differentiation. Using 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci—10 nuclear and 8 chloroplastic—the research found low nuclear genetic diversity with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.125 to 1.000, while chloroplast SSRs showed no polymorphism. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated high within-population variation (84%) but notable between-population differentiation (16%). Structure and UPGMA analyses separated the Shafaroud population from others, suggesting a genetic extinction vortex due to limited gene flow over short distances. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter protection measures across all four known populations of this species in Iran.

Janfaza, S., Yousefzadeh, H., Hosseini Nasr, S. M., Botta, R., Asadi Abkenar, A., & Marinoni, D. T. (2017). Genetic diversity of Castanea sativa an endangered species in the Hyrcanian forest. Silva Fennica, 51(1). CLOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.1705