Population genetic characterization of the endangered silver skipper, Leptalina unicolor (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), using novel microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA gene sequences.

• We studied the genetic diversity of endangered L. unicolor populations in Korea. • Populations are highly isolated considering the data from both mtDNA and SSR. • L. unicolor revealed very low genetic diversity based on mtDNA. • Nevertheless, no evidence of inbreeding was detected in all populations. • Thus, reasonable conservation practice would be necessary. The silver stripped skipper, Leptalina unicolor , is listed as an endangered species with a paucity of leftover populations in Korea. Prior population genetic analysis is essential for the establishment of effective conservation strategies. In the present study, we investigated the genetic diversity and the relationships of L. unicolor populations in Korea using 12 newly developed L. unicolor -specific microsatellite markers and two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (a total of 1283 bp from COI and CytB). Due to the endangered status and rarity, a total of 33 individuals from two localities in Gangwon-do Province (Seohwa and Girin) and one in Gyeongsangnam-do Province (Danjang) were sampled. The concatenated mtDNA sequences revealed very low genetic diversity in each population, with only one to three independent haplotypes per population. F ST , principal coordinate analysis, and independent structural analysis of the concatenated mtDNA sequences and the 12 microsatellite loci developed in this study showed that each L. unicolor population in Korea is nearly completely isolated, although inbreeding has not yet occurred. Long-term conservation habitat recovery that increases the available population appears to be important in the prevention of genetic drift and inbreeding, which occur in small isolated populations and reduce the viability of populations under fluctuating environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]