Genetic Diversity Analysis Of Neottopteris Nidus Populations In Hainan Island

Bird’s nest ferns are large epiphytes in rainforest. They play an important role in maintaining the stability of rainforest ecosystem, indicating tropical ecosystems and sustaining biodiversity. Our aim is that elucidating the genetic variation genetic differentiation status of populations, genetic structure, populations related of Neottopteris nidus (Bird’s nest ferns)in the unique island environment of Hainan Island, we use RAPD molecular markers for detection of polymorphism.123 samples(including 3 external standard) are collected and from six natural populations in Hainan island. The data is analysed by NTSYS-pc and POPGENE32 software. The result revealed that genetic differentiation status of populations, diversity parameters, genetic structure, populations related based on RAPD molecular markers.The results are as follows:(1)20 primers have been selected to screen 123 samples through RAPD molecular markers. Totally,108 bands have been found, average 10.8alleles per primer and 98 polymorphic bands were generated, and its ratio is 90.74%, average 9.8 polymorphic band per primer.(2) Cluster Analysis result based on genetic similarity indicate that RAPD molecular markers detection could separate Neottopteris phyllitidis, Asplenium prolongattm, Asplenium loriceum and Neottopteris nidus. It is good molecular markers to identify Neottopteris nidus, may could be applied for identify and protect new varieties of Neottopteris.(3) Cluster Analysis result based on genetic similarity also indicate that there are two groups. One group is Pop5-WZ(WuZhi) and Pop6-YG(YingGe).Another group is Popl-BW(BaWang),Pop2-DL(DiaoLuo),Pop3-JF(JianFeng),Pop4-LM(LiMu).(4)The inner and total genetic diversity parameters have been estimated based on different geographic populations. In the six populations, the genetic index (Ⅰ) from high to low is Pop4-LM,Pop5-WZ,Pop3-JF,Pop2-DL,Popl-BW,Pop6-YG.The current genetic diversity of whole population is not high(h=0.2397,I=0.3582).(5)The coefficient genetic differentiation and gene flow are calculated in six populations. The coefficient genetic differentiation is Gst=0.2019 between populations. It means that 20.74% genetic variation is in population each other The gene flow is low(Nm=1.9770).There are relatively restricted.(6) Cluster Analysis result based on genetic similarity by UPGMA method on six populations divide three groups type. The first group type is Pop4-LM. The second group type is Pop2-DL. The third group type is Pop5-WZ,Pop3-JF,Popl-BW, Pop6-YG. We think Pop4-LM have very high genetic diversity level. It should be conserve first.