Detection of RAPD Variation in a Forest Tree Species, Melientha suavis Pierre (Opiliaceae) from Thailand

an important wild tree served as a vegetable for local Thai people. Natural populations of this species are currently vulnerable to habitat loss due to deforestation and overexploitation. The population genetic structure is important base line knowledge for conservation of this species. This study used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to investigate the patterns and distribution of genetic variability in natural populations of M. suavis in north and northeast Thailand. Seven 10-mer primers amplified a total of 46 scorable bands, of which 36 (78.3%) were polymorphic. To describe and compare the partitioning of genetic variation, Shannon’s information index and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) were applied to analyze RAPD data set. Results from Shannon’s information measures indicated that twenty-eight percent of genetic variation were found within populations. AMOVA analysis revealed most genetic variation was found within populations comparable to the total genetic variation. AMOVA confirmed the results from Shannon’s information index that genetic variability was found to occur within populations of M. suavis. Since a high level of genetic variation was found to occur among populations, based on Shannon’s diversity, conservation of wild populations would help in the maintenance of the genetic diversity of M. suavis