Genome size variability of the population of Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) in the Novosibirsk Region (Russia)

Abstract

Gymnadenia conopsea (Fragrant orchid) is a widespread model species for the study of polymorphism in the European part of Russia and abroad. Flow cytometry refers to rapid methods effective for assessing the structure of a population by DNA size estimation. However, this method is only available in habitats with close proximity to the place of the experiment, because this indicator is determined only in fresh leaves. A small population of G. conopsea in the industrial area adjacent to the Novosibirsk urban agglomeration in the Novosibirsk Region (NR) was studied. Only diploids were detected in the G. conopsea cenopopulation occurred in the industrial zone of the NR. In this study we pointed on significance of genome size variation, which correlates with the adaptive evolution of the G. conopsea in West Siberia. The revealed absence of minor cytotypes (individuals with a higher level of ploidy) in G. conopsea population reduces intraspecific and intrapopulation diversity of the species.