Loropetalum subcordatum (Hamamelidaceae) is one of the most endangered angiosperm species in China. It is narrowly distributed in a few localities in the evergreen broadleaved forest of southern China. Up to now only a few dozen remnant individuals have been found in the four extant populations.
In this project, Dr.GONG Wei from Key Lab of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dr. GU Lei from Chengdu Institute of Biology studied its genetic diversity and population genetic structure using the high resolution molecular marker of amplified fragment length polymorphism.
In total, 47 individuals from all the four populations (including all individuals in three populations) were analyzed. Comparably low genetic diversity within populations was revealed and significantly high genetic differentiation among the populations was detected.
Finally, four independent groups were identified which corresponded with their geographical ranges. Autogamy is considered to be the major factor contributing to the low genetic variation and high genetic divergence within this species.

In addition, small population size, restricted distribution range, geographical isolation and limited seed dispersal may also contribute to the low genetic diversity and high population genetic differentiation. Clonal reproduction was inferred to occur in the two island populations.
Related conservation strategies are provided to preserve the genetic resources of this species. More details have been published in CONSERVATION GENETICS,11(6), Dec of 2010.