Population loss due to habitat disturbance is a major concern in biodiversity conservation. Here we investigate the genetic causes of the demographic decline observed in English populations of P ulsatilla vulgaris and the consequences for conservation. Using ten nuclear microsatellite markers, we compare genetic variation in wild populations with restored and seed-regenerated populations (674 samples). Emergence of genetic structure and loss of allelic variation in natural populations is not as evident as expected from demographic trends. Restored populations show genetic variation comparable to their source populations and, in general, to the wild ones. Genetic homogeneity is observed in regeneration trials, although some alleles not captured in source populations are detected. We infer that polyploidy, longevity and clonal reproduction have provided P. vulgaris with the standing genetic variation necessary to make the species resilient to the effects of demographic decline, suggesting that the use of multiple sources for reintroduction may be beneficial to mimic natural gene flow and the availability of multiple allele copies typical of polyploid species.

中文翻译：

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受威胁物种保护，白头翁。(Pasqueflower), 受生殖系统和多倍体的帮助

由于栖息地干扰导致的人口损失是生物多样性保护的一个主要问题。在这里，我们调查了在英国普通白头翁种群中观察到的人口下降的遗传原因以及保护的后果。使用十个核微卫星标记，我们比较了野生种群与恢复和种子再生种群（674 个样本）的遗传变异。自然种群中遗传结构的出现和等位基因变异的丧失并不像人口趋势所预期的那样明显。恢复种群显示出与其源种群相当的遗传变异，一般而言，与野生种群相当。在再生试验中观察到遗传同质性，尽管检测到一些未在源种群中捕获的等位基因。我们推断多倍体，