Genetic diversity of the threatened <i>Saussurea dorogostaiskii</i> (Asteraceae) in the Khuvsgul region of Mongolia

Abstract

<i>Saussurea dorogostaiskii</i> Palib. (Asteraceae) is a critically endangered medicinal plant in Mongolia and Russia. We studied the genetic variation of <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> from three mountains of northern Mongolia. The genetic profile was assessed in 70 individuals from eight populations using five inter-simple sequence repeat markers, producing 53 loci with 96.4% polymorphism across all bands. Shannon’s index (<i>I</i>) and Nei’s gene diversity (<i>H</i>) value at the species level of <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> are 0.25 and 0.17, respectively. An AMOVA showed high genetic variation among the populations (22% of populations and 32% of mountains), consistent with the high genetic differentiation (<i>G_ST</i> = 0.49) and low gene flow (<i>N_m</i> = 0.51) in <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> populations. Eight populations were clustered into two groups, corresponding to their geographic locations. The low within-population genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> populations factor into their endangered designation. This genetic analysis reveals that all populations are equally threatened, and community-based conservation is appropriate for these species.