GENETIC-VARIATION IN CENTRAL AND DISJUNCT POPULATIONS OF LILIUM-PARRYI

We compared levels of genetic variability in small, isolated populations of Lilium parryi in Arizona with those found in large populations in California. Arizona populations were presumably derived from California populations; they were significantly less variable and showed evidence of much higher levels of inbreeding. One California locality whose population structure is similar to those found in Arizona also had relatively low levels of genetic variability. However, the other California populations were highly variable and showed lower levels of inbreeding than Arizona populations. There was significant genetic differentiation among all populations. In Arizona, there was no relationship between current population size and genetic variability. Arizona populations may be vulnerable to extinction, given the magnitude of environmental modifications in their habitats, their small sizes, and their low levels of variability.