Genetic diversity and conservation of the Canarian Flora (Review)

The causes of the high genetic diversity in most Canarian endemic plants are still poorly understood. Pérez de Paz and Caujapé-Castells use the allozyme dataset for 123 taxa of the archipelago’s endemic flora to find that genetic diversity levels and structuring are phylogenetically constrained by the traits of the colonizing lineages, although also influenced by distances to the mainland. Threat to conservation is only reflected in genetic variation under intensive population sampling designs, and is not related to small population sizes. The need for habitat protection, reproductive studies and ex situ conservation are emphasized, especially in endangered taxa, whereas prior multi-disciplinary research is needed for effective conservation of less-endangered endemics.