A study on Population structure delineated with Inter Simple Sequence Repeat markers in fragmented populations of legume tree Albizia procera.

Albizia procera (A. procera) is a popular multipurpose legume tree with a wide distribution and is highly valued for its quality timber and gum yield. However, the species has been overexploited and could be traced as fragmented populations. To estimate the partitioning of genetic variation, ISSR markers were used to analyze 102 individuals representing six natural populations of the species distribution range. Estimates of genetic differentiation between-population were strongly correlated with geographical distance (r = 0.89, p < 0.001), which, along with a UPGMA phylogenetic analysis, strongly suggested high levels of genetic isolation by distance. Taken together, these results suggest that fragmentation has led to an increase in population differentiation between fragments of A. procera. These formations will be of great value in the development of conservation plans for species exhibiting high levels of genetic differentiation due to fragmentation, such as indication of conservation unit size, which populations should be chosen as priority in conservation plans and which samples should be introduced in areas with less