Genetic diversity in the Chamaecytisus proliferus complex (Fabaceae: Genisteae) in the Canary Islands in relation to in situ conservation

Summary Electrophoresis was carried out for six isozyme systems on 175 accessions of the seven morphological forms of Chamaecytisus proliferus (L. fil.) Link (Fabaceae: Genisteae) from the Canary Islands. Previous studies have shown that there is clear differentiation into morphological and ecological forms. The underlying genetic variation as visualised by studying isozymes does not reflect this. While substantial genetic diversity can be identified, this was found to be as much within as between morphological forms. This genetic diversity was found to decrease from east to west, and reflects the pattern of variation remaining after colonisation of the individual islands, which is assumed to have progressed in the same direction. Subsequently, adaptive radiation has given rise to the overlying morphological variation as exhibited in the seven morphological forms.In terms of in situ conservation, overall genetic diversity can be easily conserved in the abundant populations occurring in the east of the archipelago, while more attention is required for conservation of the much rarer morphological forms found in the west, despite their relative lack of isozyme diversity.Abbreviations ACO aconitase - ADH alcohol dehydrogenase - IDH Asocitrate dehydrogenase - MDH malate dehydrogenase - PGD 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - PGM phosphoglucomutase - CA cluster analysis - PCA principal component analysis