Microsatellite genotypes and locations for three Physaria taxa on and near the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, USA

A population genetics study was conducted on three plant taxa in the genus Physaria that are found on the Kaibab Plateau (Arizona, USA). Physaria kingii subsp. kaibabensis is endemic to the Kaibab Plateau, and is of conservation concern because of its rarity, limited range, and potential threats to its long-term persistence. Additionally, the taxon is a candidate for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. It was not clear how genetically isolated P. k. subsp. kaibabensis was from Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia, which is a widespread subspecies found throughout the southwestern USA, including on the Kaibab Plateau. Additionally, other authors have suggested that P. k. subsp. kaibabensis may hybridize with Physaria arizonica, a different species that is also widespread and found on and off the Kaibab Plateau. We conducted a population genetics study of all three groups to better determine the conservation status of P. k. subsp. kaibabensis. Genetic data are in the form of nuclear DNA microsatellites for 13 loci (all apparently diploid). Additionally, we have included location information for the collection sites. We collected tissue samples from on and off the Kaibab Plateau. The overall findings are shared in a manuscript being submitted for peer-review.

一项针对产于美国亚利桑那州凯巴布高原（Arizona, USA）的 Physaria 属三种植物类群的种群遗传学研究得以实施。Physaria kingii subsp. kaibabensis 为该高原的特有种，因稀有、分布范围有限以及对长期存续的潜在威胁，而备受保护关注。此外，该类群还符合《濒危物种法案》下的联邦保护资格。关于 P. k. subsp. kaibabensis 与广泛分布于美国西南部，包括凯巴布高原的 Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia 之间的遗传隔离程度，尚无明确结论。另外，有研究提出，P. k. subsp. kaibabensis 可能与广泛分布于凯巴布高原及其周边的另一种物种 Physaria arizonica 发生杂交。为更准确地确定 P. k. subsp. kaibabensis 的保护状况，我们对这三个类群进行了种群遗传学研究。遗传数据以13个位点的核DNA微卫星序列形式呈现（均为二倍体）。此外，我们还收集了样本采集地点的信息。研究总体成果已以稿件形式提交，并正在接受同行评审。