Genetic and Genotypic Variation of Nelumbo komarovii Grossh

Abstract

Genetic and genotypic variabilities of a rare relict aquatic plant Nelumbo komarovii Grossh. from six natural populations of Primorsky krai (Russia) were assessed using isozyme analysis. The highest genetic and genotypic diversities were observed in the Razdol’noe and Okeanskaya populations, which can be explained by cross-pollination participation in the seed formation for maintenance of the Razdol’noe population size and by sowing seeds from different habitats for the Okeanskaya population. Low polymorphism at the population level (P = 8.97, H_O = 0.055, H_E = 0.039) is determined by the history of existence of the species from the Tertiary Period as well as by the influence of gene drift. Clonal renewal plays a decisive role in the propagation of N. komarovii in most natural populations.