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• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed to assess genetic diversity and population structure in Acer yangbiense, a critically endangered endemic species that occurs in northwestern Yunnan Province, China. • Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol, 34 microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in A. yangbiense. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 39 individuals from two distinct populations, one of which was naturally occurring and the other an ex situ grouping. Nine of the markers showed polymorphisms with two to five alleles per locus; observed (ho and expected (He heterozygosities ranged from 0.0000 to 0.8000 and from 0.0000 to 0.6889, respectively. • Conclusions: These microsatellite primers will prove useful in the further investigation of population genetics studies in A. yangbiense and, in addition, will assist related research of other congeneric species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michelia coriacea, a critically endangered tree, has a restricted and fragmented distribution in Southeast Yunnan Province, China. The genetic diversity, genetic structure and gene flow in the three extant populations of this species were detected by 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Examination of genetic diversity revealed that the species maintained a relatively high level of genetic diversity at the species level (percentage of polymorphic bands) PPB = 96.36% from ISSRs; PPL (percentage of polymorphic loci) = 95.56% from SSRs, despite several fragmental populations. Low levels of genetic differentiation among the populations of M. coriacea were detected by Nei's Gst = 0.187 for ISSR and Wright's Fst = 0.090 for SSR markers, which is further confirmed by Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE and PCoA analysis that could not reveal a clear separation between populations, although YKP was differentiated to other two populations by ISSR markers. Meanwhile, AMOVA analysis also indicated that 22.84% and 13.90% of genetic variation existed among populations for ISSRs and SSRs, respectively. The high level of genetic diversity, low genetic differentiation, and the population, structure imply that the fragmented habitat and the isolated population of M. coriacea may be due to recent over-exploitation. Conservation and management of M. coriacea should concentrate on maintaining the high level of genetic variability through both in and ex-situ conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the conservation programme for conservation of Sichou oak Quercus sichourensis in China. This programme, which was implemented by the Kunning Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, centers on more detailed field investigation, research on the physiology and ecology of seeds and seedlings, as well as reinforcement of existing plant populations across southern China. Desiccation tolerance of Sichou oak seeds, germination conditions, and the best conditions for seedling growth will be the focus of physiological and ecological studies. It is noted that the program aims to emphasize reinforcement and population reestablishment in the wild.