Genetic diversity of Nepeta rtanjensis based on RAPD data

Abstract

Nepeta rtanjensis Diklić et Milojević (Lamiaceae) is an endemic, herbaceous plant, found only in a very small area of Mount Rtanj in Southeast Serbia. The whole species is represented by several hundred specimens distributed within three known populations: Greda, Mirčin del and Javor. Like many species of the genus Nepeta, N. rtanjensis is also famous for its secondary metabolite production (mainly nepetalactones and phenolics) and it is well known that these compounds show antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, phytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Because of its limited distribution and the status of critically endangered species, it is important to find as much as possible information about the population genetic structure of this species. Therefore, we performed randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to get an insight into the genetic diversity and variation of this species within and between the populations. DNA material used in this process was isolated from leaves collected from plants in their natural habitats. To our knowledge, this is the first employment of RAPD markers in the assessment of the N. rtanjenis genetic structure. Genetic variability between populations was not detected, but only small variations between individual plants from the same populations were recorded. These preliminary data give us a good base for further studies towards elucidating the genetic structure of this rare species using more reliable EST-SSR markers, designed based on N. rtanjensis transcriptome.