ISSR analysis points to relict character of Aconitum bucovinense Zapal. (Ranunculaceae) at the range margin

Aconitum bucovinense, a high-mountain species endemic to the Eastern and Southern Carpathians, including the Apuseni Mountains, is legally protected and classified in the Polish Red Data Book of Plants. It attains its NW geographical range in two peripheral populations in the Western Bieszczady Mountains (Polish Eastern Carpathians), isolated by a distance of 13.1 km. PCR-ISSR analysis has been used to elucidate the within- and among-populational levels of species genetic diversity. A UPGMA and block clustering showed discreteness of the populations and subpopulations based on ISSR banding pattern. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed significant divergence (P = 0.024) of the two marginal populations and highly significant (P < 0.001) differentiation of subpopulations within populations. The theta index calculated for the two marginal populations and the core population in the Carpathians was 0.131 ±0.030 S.D. Most of the population-genetic diversity indices of the marginal populations were not different from those in the core area but the Shannon’s and rarity indices were lower in the marginal populations. It seems that founder effect and subsequent genetic bottleneck resulted in a fine-scale population genetic structure. The marginal populations under study need a relevant recovery program to maintain their genetic diversity.