Genetic identification of traded plants of the endangered macrophytes Nuphar submersa and N.×fluminalis (Nymphaeaceae) based on genotype data of all remnant individuals growing in the wild

Abstract

Nuphar submersa and N.×fluminalis (Nymphaeaceae) are critically endangered macrophytes found in central Japan, comprising only four populations each. In recent years, gathering for horticultural trade has damaged the remnant populations. We investigated the species and localities involved in trading plants of these species and Nuphar plants named "Nagaba-benikohone" based on morphological research and analysis of 15 microsatellite loci. We bought 10 plants from two garden stores. Our morphological research identified a plant named "N. submersa" sold by Store T (T1) as N. submersa and nine plants sold by Store C (C1-C9) as N.×fluminalis. In these 10 plants, two multi-locus genotypes were detected. Referring to the genotype data for N. ubmersa and N.×fluminalis, the genotype of T1 corresponded to NIK-25 (N. submersa), and the other nine plants (C1-C9) corresponded to SAN-10 (N.×fluminalis). The low genotype probability (GP) indicated that the traded plants and wild plants were the same genets and gathering had occurred in populations NIK and SAN. Since our preliminary genetic identification of trading in Nuphar was published, there have been no trades on the web sites. Genotype data based on all remnant individuals will be useful for assisting in preventing the gathering and trade of these plants.