Developing a sampling strategy for Baptisia arachnifera based on allozyme diversity

We analyzed the amount and distribution of genetic variation in Baptisia arachnifera Duncan to develop a sampling strategy for ex situ research. Baptisia arachnifera is an endangered plant species endemic to the coastal plain of Georgia (U.S.) where all populations are within 16 km of each other. A reduction in numbers of individuals has been observed during the last 50 years. Baptisia arachnifera was polymorphic at 24% of the 37 loci examined with an average of 1.32 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity index was relatively low (H-e = 0.097) as expected for endemic species. Populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that the species is outcrossing. Consistent with this conclusion is the observation that the majority (approximately 90%) of the genetic variation present in the species is found within individual populations. Indirect evidence of gene flow between populations was detected (Nm = 2.35). The close proximity of the populations and the recent reduction in population sizes suggest that the populations surveyed may be fragments of a once more continuous gene pool. Based on the observed distribution of genetic diversity among populations (G(ST) = 0.096), sampling two populations would capture 99% of the allozyme diversity surveyed. Allozyme data were used to determine which 2 of the 10 populations surveyed should be sampled to maximize the ex situ conservation of genetic diversity. Although the paper-producing companies that own most of the land where Baptisia arachnifera occurs are modifying their harvesting techniques, the species could become extinct without more effective management and preservation efforts.