Preliminary study on genetic diversity in Moehringia jankae Griseb. ex Janka based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Genetic diversity among eleven natural populations of the Moehringia jankae species, Caryophyllaceae family, spread in the Sinite Kamani Natural Park in Bulgaria was assessed by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. A total of 68 loci were identified by using 5 selected IS SR primers, of which 59 are polymorphic and 9 - monomorphic. Presences of 3 specific ISSR bands were reported in the Mj1, Mj5 and Mj9 population. For the primers used, mean values of the polymorphic information content (0.64), effective multiplex ratio (4.53), resolving power (27.66) and marker index (2.84) have been calculated. Shannon's information index (I = 0.226), expected (He = 0.149) and unbiased expected (uH = 0.165) heterozygosity, estimated based on molecular characteristics demonstrate a significant level of intra-species genetic diversity of M. jankae. Cluster analysis, Principal component analysis (PCA) and Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) divide the studied plant populations into 2 main clusters - first (A) comprises Mj7, Mj8 and Mj10, and Mj1, Mj11, Mj9, second one (B) consists of 2 subclusters, too with Mj5 and Mj6 being in the first one, and Mj2, Mj4 and Mj3 in the second one. The current data complement the studies in the area of genetic resources, therefore they could be included in conservation programs for protection of rare and endangered plant species.