We examined data for 11 allozyme loci in 14 populations that represent the distribution of the endangered Lotus kunkelii, the narrowly distributed L. arinagensis (both endemic to Gran Canaria), and the broad-ranging L. lancerottensis (endemic to the easternmost Canary Islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) to explore and construe patterns of genetic variation and use this data to assess the controversial taxonomic status of L. kunkelii relative to L. lancerottensis. While L. kunkelii maintains low levels of variation, presumably as a consequence of prolonged inbreeding due to very low population size and sharp geographic isolation, the other two taxa have much higher indicators of polymorphism than those reported for other oceanic island endemics. Lotus arinagensis has the highest genetic polymorphism and the lowest interpopulation differentiation, presumably because of its considerable antiquity and habitat stability, despite recent fragmentation. The high interpopulation differentiation in L. lancerottensis is attributed to the Atlantic acting as a barrier, reducing gene flow within islands. Evolutionary analysis of the allozyme evidence indicates that L. kunkelii is genetically closer to L. arinagensis than to L. lancerottensis, thereby dispelling the taxonomic uncertainty and supporting L. kunkelii as a distinct species, warranting legal protection in the forthcoming catalog of threatened Canarian species.

A survey of allozyme variation at 17 loci in 14 populations representing four taxonomically problematic Gran Canarian pine forest endemic taxa of Lotus (L. genistoides, L. holosericeus, L. spartioides and some taxonomically uncertain populations collected under the designation Lotus sp.) was conducted to examine their diversification and systematic relationships. All groups exhibited high values of genetic variation, although inbreeding was common within populations. Considerable among-population genetic homogeneity was detected, as inferred from low values of Gst within each of the groups. The high population sizes of these taxa and a lack of evidence for isolation by distance or genetic bottlenecks indicate that diversity has accumulated over a long period of environmental stability. The association of high genetic distances with low linear distances, and the substantial increase in the values of Gst when the taxa considered were merged in different combinations hint at an incipient (yet probably taxonomically insufficient) reproductive isolation. The genetic similarity between L. genistoides, L. holosericeus and L. spartioides, together with the different behaviour of the populations collected under the designation Lotus sp., may have important implications for the restructuring of the taxonomy of this group when the ongoing morphological studies are completed.