Illegal trade in leopard tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis is widespread, yet the origins of confiscated S. pardalis are often unknown. Accurate assignment to source populations is essential for informed conservation management and release. We expanded and tested a genetic reference database for assigning S. pardalis to their original wild populations in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, and Eswatini. We added 50 newly genotyped wild S. pardalis sampled across these regions to the database and then evaluated the updated database by sampling and assessing 50 S. pardalis of unknown geographic origin held at a rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Genetic assignment indicated that only a single S. pardalis at the rehabilitation-centre may have originated from KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the extent of illegal trade, translocation, and possession of S. pardalis. Individuals of verified regional origin were subsequently rehabilitated and translocated for soft release at appropriate sites.

Abstract Ternstroemia huasteca is an endangered tree species endemic to the southern Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico, primarily confined to tropical montane cloud forests. Two population groups of this species are known: one in the Sierra Gorda region, spanning Querétaro and the northern part of Hidalgo, and another occurs in the Zacualtipán region of Hidalgo, extending into the Huayacocotla region of Veracruz. The conservation status of these populations and their degree of genetic diversity remain unknown. Given that habitat conservation forecasts are not optimistic and T. huasteca is already threatened, it is urgent to generate information about the conservation status, specifically regarding the genetic diversity of montane tree species. We genetically evaluated T. huasteca across its distribution range using a robust set of 16 microsatellite markers. Our results reveal relatively high genetic diversity (mean H O = 0.64; mean H E = 0.64) and moderate genetic differentiation ( F ST = 0.142). Genetic clustering revealed a clear separation between the Sierra Gorda and Zacualtipán populations, with substructure within the Zacualtipán group. We also detected a significant isolation-by-distance pattern, suggesting that gene flow decreases with increasing geographic distance. We found evidence of inbreeding and low genetic diversity in one population under silvicultural management. Our findings highlight the urgent need for conservation strategies that enhance connectivity and genetic diversity to ensure the long-term viability of montane forest species, given the ongoing anthropogenic pressures and climate change.

Abstract Crop wild relatives (CWR) are an important class of endangered wild species that are increasingly declining due to human-induced factors that also threaten other wild plants. This class of species has not received sufficient attention in conservation strategies and remains poorly studied. This holds true for the endangered wild cotton Gossypium turneri, which is endemic to the state of Sonora, Mexico. This species faces threats from disturbance associated with tourism-driven coastal development and requires urgent conservation actions. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of G. turneri using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to offer insights into its conservation. Clustering and genetic structure analysis revealed three distinct genetic groups and potential populations. Observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity, along with genetic differentiation (FST) values, indicated moderate genetic diversity and differentiation. Effective population sizes (Ne) varied from 18 to 32, whereas census population sizes (Nc) ranged from 62 to 883 adult plants. Among the three inferred populations, the southernmost population exhibited the highest number of private alleles and allelic differences, making it a conservation priority due to its potential reservoir of genetic variation. Recommendations include seed collection for ex-situ conservation in Botanical Gardens for the three populations. For in-situ conservation, different measures should be implemented according to the level of human disturbance affecting each population. These include restricting further coastal development in less disturbed areas and promoting G. turneri as an ornamental plant in the most impacted population to enhance its survival.

Abstract The Pinus mugo complex (P. mugo Turra s. l. or P. mugo aggregate) is an important fragment of European dendroflora, which is characterized by high variability, reticulate evolution, and several hybrid zone populations in different parts of Europe. Here we tried to explore the admixture structure of four putative hybrid zones between P. mugo Turra (s. str.) and P. sylvestris L. in Slovakia, using Bayesian ancestry inference with microsatellites. Unexpectedly, compared to nine reference populations, the results showed no elevated allelic diversity in our four locations. However, there was a high marker information content for ancestry based on the reference samples (δ C or D K = 0.451). The individual admixture proportions of P. sylvestris averaged at 0.529, 0.419, and 0.292 in the three locations, with the distribution ranging from unimodality to bimodality. These data support the presence of hybrid zones, but only in association with peatland habitats. In a typical calcicolous pine relict examined, no hybrids were detected, which contrasts earlier reports. The unexpected absence of elevated diversity, including the differences in hybrid zones’ modality within the same habitat, might be explained by population bottlenecks due to anthropogenic peatland degradation during the 1960s to 1980s, when intensive drainage in the region occurred. The study highlights the evolutionary, ecological and conservation value of the studied bog populations.