Genetic diversity assessed in Ethiopian highland bamboo [Oldeania alpina (K. Schum) Stapleton] populations revealed by microsatellite markers

Ethiopian highland bamboo [Oldeania alpina (K. Schum) Stapleton] (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Arundinarieae) is one of the economically and environmentally important plants in Ethiopia. Despite its wide presence in the country, nothing is known about genetic diversity and population structure of the species.

The study relied on 150 DNA samples representing 15 O.alpina populations collected across major O.alpina harboring forests of Ethiopia. Following total genomic DNA isolation SSR primer screening was conducted using PCR, gel electrophoreses, gel doc imaging, allele scoring, and statistical analysis. Accordingly nine SSR primers from Chinese Phyllostachys edulis and seven from Ethiopian Oxytenanthera abyssinica were found informative and used to investigate the extent of genetic diversity and structure of O.alpina populations.

The study revealed the presence of moderate genetic diversity (Ho = 0.262; I = 0.639) within populations and very low genetic differentiation among populations (Fst = 0.019). Cluster (UPGMA), PCoA, and STRUCTURE analysis did not group the populations into clearly defined genetically distinct clusters according to their geographic origins, more likely due to the reproductive biology of the species since vegetative propagation is the main means of reproduction associated with 50–100 years of flowering and low viability of seeds.

Despite limitations connected with employing only 15 SSR markers, the study suggested the presence of moderate genetic diversity within populations and highly mixed population structure resulting in very low genetic differentiation among O. alpina populations. This information could serve as a basis for designing suitable conservation strategies and conducting further research using more SSRs and other sequences-based informative markers.