Genetic variation in Femeniasia (Compositae, Cardueae), an endemic and endangered monotypic genus from the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Femeniasia balearica is the only representative of its genus and is endemic to a small area on the northern coast of Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). The entire range of the species covers only 18 km of coastline. It is extremely rare and classified as endangered in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species and as a priority species in the EU Habitats Directive. We carried out a census of current population size and estimated genetic diversity based on AFLP markers to facilitate conservation of this unique species. In the 66 individuals analysed (similar to 10% of population), 225 bands were scored and the level of diversity was relatively high. Three divergent population groups corresponding to geographical areas (Western, Central and Eastern) were identified. In AMOVA and Bayesian analyses, most of the diversity was found within populations but there was strong differentiation between the three population groups. Genetic and geographical distances between the populations were strongly correlated. Our results show that the populations of F. balearica are not genetically depauperate, in spite of their small sizes. Unexpectedly, our results suggest that as many as three MUs (management units) should be recognized in this very small area, because the low levels of gene flow among them indicate contemporary demographic independence. (c) 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153, 97-107.