Rules and exceptions in conservation genetics: genetic assessment of the endangered plant Cordylanthus palmatus and its implications for management planning

We analyzed genetic variability among the four naturally-occurring populations of the endangered plant Cordylanthus palmatus to test whether a central tenet of conservation genetics — large populations are more genetically diverse than small populations — held true in our study system and to guide long-term conservation planning for the species. Genetic variability in C. palmatus was moderate at the species level but relatively low in several populations. About 2% of the measured genetic variation was attributable to variation between populations. Genetic variability in C. palmatus did not increase with population size. The two largest populations were relatively invariate and genetically similar, and neither contained any unique alleles