title: Patterns of genetic divergence of three Canarian endemic Lotus (Fabaceae): implications for the conservation of the endangered L. kunkelii.
abstract: We examined data for 11 allozyme loci in 14 populations that represent the distribution of the endangered Lotus kunkelii, the narrowly distributed L. arinagensis (both endemic to Gran Canaria), and the broad-ranging L. lancerottensis (endemic to the easternmost Canary Islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) to explore and construe patterns of genetic variation and use this data to assess the controversial taxonomic status of L. kunkelii relative to L. lancerottensis. While L. kunkelii maintains low levels of variation, presumably as a consequence of prolonged inbreeding due to very low population size and sharp geographic isolation, the other two taxa have much higher indicators of polymorphism than those reported for other oceanic island endemics. Lotus arinagensis has the highest genetic polymorphism and the lowest interpopulation differentiation, presumably because of its considerable antiquity and habitat stability, despite recent fragmentation. The high interpopulation differentiation in L. lancerottensis is attributed to the Atlantic acting as a barrier, reducing gene flow within islands. Evolutionary analysis of the allozyme evidence indicates that L. kunkelii is genetically closer to L. arinagensis than to L. lancerottensis, thereby dispelling the taxonomic uncertainty and supporting L. kunkelii as a distinct species, warranting legal protection in the forthcoming catalog of threatened Canarian species.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biodiversidad Molecular y Banco de ADN, Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Ap. de correos 14 de Tafira Alta, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliva-Tejera
authors.forename: Juli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caujapé-Castells
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro-Déniz
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reyes-Betancort
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baccarani-Rosas
authors.forename: Nereida
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cabrera-García