Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) has undergone a severe decline in population size since its discovery in the North-western Himalayas in late 19th century. One hundred and seventy-two plants from six populations in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, located between 0.45 km and 455.72 km apart from each other were evaluated for RAPD polymorphism. Sixteen random primers generated 92 bands overall, 77 of which were polymorphic. Shannon's index of genetic diversity within populations (H o ) ranged between 0.305 and 0.421; the average within-population diversity (H pop ) was 0.389; and the total species diversity (H sp ) was 0.478. The population from Mohand (representing the type locality) had the fewest plants, at 18, and was genetically the most depauperate. Among the other populations, ranging in size between 52 and 1,022 individuals, no relation between population size and genetic diversity was evident. It is suggested that these six populations represent relics of a larger, extended population, in which the presence of perennating rootstocks has helped preserve historic patterns of genetic diversity. AMOVA revealed that 83.01% of the variation exists within populations, which was consistent with earlier studies on the reproductive biology of E. superba, which indicated this species is predominantly allogamous. FST distances between all populations were significant, indicating geographic differentiation despite some of them being closely separated. Habitat restoration and protection from indiscriminate harvesting are proposed as primary strategies for conserving E. superba. Rejuvenation of the Mohand population through intrapopulation crossing between plants bearing diverse molecular phenotypes is also suggested.
The new species Psammogeton shivalikense (Apiaceae) is described and illustrated. It is similar to Psammogeton biternatum and P. canescens, but differs from these allied species in having smaller height, 1–3 bracts, 2–4 rays per umbel, 2–5 flowers per umbellet, densely hairy mericarps and hairs fringed with glands. A key to the species of Psammogeton in India their occurrence in adjoining countries distribution maps and photographs are provided.
Viola kouliana (Violaceae), a new species from Jammu and Kashmir State, India, is described and illustrated. The species is described and compared with the morphologically related species Viola cinerea and V. behboudiana from which it differs by having puberulous stipules, longer spur, curved style, stigma with unequal discs, an oblong or obovoid capsule which is glabrous and obtuse at apex, containing nine seeds which are 1.4 mm long and smooth.
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