الوصف: |
Meconopsis punicea (Papaveraceae) is only distributed in the alpine areas of the Qinghai Plateau (QHP) and Hengduan Mountains (HDM) in China. As an important ornamental flower and traditional Tibetan medicine, in addition to habitat loss, its higher economic value drives over-exploitation of this resource, which has accelerated the reduction of its distribution. How to make its protection strategy is still unfounded as unclear genetic diversity characteristics of M. punicea. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structures of M. punicea representing 11 populations 106 individuals using 4-locus dataset (matK, ndhF, rbcL and rpb2, a total of 2576 bp). A total of 76 sequence types were identified (Hd = 0.987, Pi = 0.00447). Six phylogenetic clades were recognized, and 3 clades were restricted to unique geographic distribution (Clade A corresponded to population SD, B to LT, and C to BL). The zoige area was referred as the differentiation center and a glacial refuge of M. punicea. M. punicea most likely originated from the southern HDM in the early Miocene (~ 22 Myr). Two dispersal routes were suggested and the ecological and geographical difference were revealed as the main driving forces for species differentiation of M. punicea. The suitable distribution area was predicted about 158,000 km2 mainly in Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai. Our current results provide much clear and detailed understanding for the diversity and geographical spatial distribution of the endemic alpine plant M. punicea. It will also be able to provide theoretical guidance for formulating the urgently needed protection strategies of M. punicea. |