Whole-chloroplast analysis as an approach for fine-tuning the preservation of a highly charismatic but critically endangered species, Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae)
Abigail Greenfield A B , Hannah McPherson B E , Tony Auld C , Sven Delaney A , Catherine A. Offord D , Marlien van der Merwe B , Jia-Yee S. Yap B and Maurizio Rossetto B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Biosciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia.
B National Herbarium of NSW, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
C NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville, NSW 2220, Australia.
D The Australian PlantBank, Australian Botanic Garden, Narellan Road, Mount Annan, NSW, 2567, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: hannah.mcpherson@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Botany 64(8) 654-658 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT16105
Submitted: 20 May 2016 Accepted: 19 September 2016 Published: 31 October 2016
Abstract
The critically endangered Wollemia nobilis W.G. Jones, K.D. Hill & J.M. Allen is endemic to Wollemi National Park north of Sydney (Australia). All known wild individuals are restricted to four sites in a single canyon system. W. nobilis can reproduce sexually but at all sites individual clumps can be multi-stemmed from a common base. In the first genetic study of this species, no genetic variation was found across multiple genetic marker types representing hundreds of nuclear loci, indicating this species is characterised by very low genetic variation. In this study we searched for variation across the chloroplast using shotgun sequencing, bioinformatic extraction of chloroplast DNA and variant detection. Six chloroplast single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected, producing three chlorotypes. Chlorotype 1 is found in every individual surveyed at Sites 1 and 3, and in individuals from Sites 2 and 4. Chlorotype 2 – the most distinct chlorotype – was found in two individuals from Site 4. Chlorotype 3 consists of a single difference from Chlorotype 1 and may represent a somaclonal mutant. These findings will guide management and translocation of this critically endangered species. This study provides a practical template that is highly informative and easily applicable to other taxa in similar circumstances.
Additional keywords: Araucariaceae, chloroplast genome, conservation genetics, endangered species, rainforest tree.
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