Genetic structure and diversity of a rare Hawaiian endemic, Lobelia villosa (Campanulaceae: Lobelioidae)

Microsatellite markers are valuable tools for determining the amount and distribution of genetic diversity and differentiation within and between populations. In this study we examined the level of microsatellite variability within and among five populations of Lobelia villosa, a rare Hawaiian endemic lobeliad on the island of Kaua‘i. Populations of L. villosa were sampled from two regions on Kaua‘i: two populations at the Kilohana Lookout area and three populations from Alaka i Swamp. Nineteen microsatellite DNA primers were developed for ʻ L. villosa, 12 of which demonstrated polymorphism and were subsequently multiplexed and labeled for genotyping. An overall moderate degree of genetic differentiation was found within and between populations (FST = 0.06; P=0.001). Pairwise FST data showed population structure and analysis with Structure software indicated two genetic clusters (K = 2) corresponding to the two sampled geographic regions. Although L. villosa exhibits moderate diversity, which exceeds that of other Hawaiian [either use the diacritics everywhere or not at all] endemics with restricted distributions, measurements of FIS were positive across 10 out of twelve loci suggesting that inbreeding is occurring at the population-level (mean FIS = 0.28). *Corresponding author. E-mail: tranc@hawaii.edu Pacific Science, vol. 69, no. 3 March 22, 2014 (Early view) Introduction For almost five million years, the Hawaiian Islands have provided an isolated environment for the evolution of over one thousand endemic plant species (Ziegler 2002). The Islands are located approximately 3500 km from all other landmasses, and a modest 280 colonization events have turned Hawai‘i into a significant hotspot for botanical biodiversity (Wagner et al. 1990). There is nearly 90% endemism among flowering plant taxa in Hawai‘i (Wagner et al. 1990); unfortunately, 25% of these are currently listed as either threatened or endangered, representing the majority of endangered plant species within the entire United States (Harrington & Ewel 1997), particularly in the families Asteraceae (47%), Campanulaceae (50%), and Malvaceae (67%). Since the Hawaiian Islands evolved in isolation, they are particularly subjected to the negative impacts of invasive species such as competition, novel pathogens, and predation (Harrington and Ewel 1997, Vitousek et al. 1997, Denslow 2003). Impacts such as these are known to limit or reduce the size of the plant populations (Baillie et al. 2004, Frankham 2003). Rare plants, especially island endemics, are generally adapted to unique and fragile microhabitats further increasing their vulnerability to extinction (Falk and Holsinger 2003, Lesica et al. 2006). The Hawaiian lobeliad radiation (Campanulaceae: Lobelioidae) comprises 135 species in six genera that originated from a single founding colonist 13 MYA (Givnish et al. 2008) and are all endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. This assemblage represents 13% of the entire flowering plant flora in Hawai‘i and provides an outstanding example of phylogenetic radiation with striking diversification in habitat, growth form, leaf shape, flower morphology, and modes of seed dispersal (Rock 1919, Carlquist 1965, 1970, Lammers 1990, Givnish et al. 1994, 1995). Lobelia villosa (Rock) St. John & Hosaka, a member of the Hawaiian lobeliad radiation, is known only from the Alaka‘i Swamp and Mount Wai‘ale‘ale on the Island of Kaua‘i (Fig. 1). Lobelia villosa is a monocarpic, perennial shrub and only occurs in bogs between 1200 and 1580 2 meters elevation. The woody stems grow to a height of about two meters, are unbranched, have lanceolate to oblong pubescent leaves, and the inflorescence is terminal on the stem producing yellowish to greenish white flowers (Wagner et al. 1999) (Fig. 2). Small plants are often present surrounding the base of larger plants and are thought to be adventitious from below the soil level, but this has not been documented and they may represent seedlings from the parental plant. Presently, there is very little known about the biology or population genetics of this species. Populations have been monitored in recent years and population sizes appear to be in decline (V. Caraway, Recovery Botanist, USFWS, pers. com.) Because of the uncertainty surrounding the status of L. villosa, the USFW Service presently lists it as a species of concern. <Figure 1 about here> <Figure 2 about here> Genetic diversity is fundamental to a species evolutionary potential and is an important factor that should be considered by conservation biologists (Neel and Ellstrand 2003, Xiao et al. 2004). Small populations, such as those typical of L. villosa, are susceptible to inbreeding and genetic drift, which can lead to a reduction in overall genetic variation and ultimately, an inability to respond to changes within the environment (Huenneke 1991, Cole 2003). In the present study, we developed species-specific microsatellite DNA markers to investigate genetic variation within L. villosa in order to better assess the long-term survival and continued evolution of this species. Microsatellite markers are valuable tools for determining the amount and distribution of genetic diversity and differentiation within and between populations (Avise 2004). Using these theoretically neutral and highly polymorphic genetic markers allowed us to quantify the degree of differentiation and inbreeding within and between populations of L. villosa. These factors are critical in the assessment of recovery needs, progress towards recovery, and allocation of funds for conservation relative to other species or populations (Haig 1998).