Comparison between QST and ΦST indices in an endangered Boswellia serrata Roxb: Implications for conservation
Boswellia serrata, an economically important indigenous tree of dry deciduous forests, provides oleoresin gum of pharmaceutical significance and excellent pulp for paper industries, but faces threat to extinction due to poor natural regeneration and commercial exploitation. 240 individuals of the species representing 12 locations of its natural distribution in central India were investigated to compare the genetic differentiation indices, QST for GBH and wood fiber length and {phi}ST for neutral (RAPD+ISSR) markers. The comparison for paired locations was more informative than for metapopulation. The most paired locations were either under the stabilizing selection (QST (L) < {Phi}ST (L)) or in the genetic drift (QST(L) = {Phi}ST (L)) whereas a relatively small number of paired locations was under the divergent selection (QS T(L) > {Phi}ST (L)). The comparison for the metapopulation generating only a single trend of QST (P) > {Phi}ST (P) is, therefore, misleading. For conservation, the genetically deficit locations (QST (L) < {Phi}ST (L) and QST (L) = {Phi}ST (L)) of B. serrata warrant for reinforcement of their genetic diversity by introduction of genotypes from other genetically divergent locations (QST (L) > {Phi}ST (L)), which would check the fragmentation and genetic drift, resulting in reproductive vigour, natural regeneration and reverse the endangered status of the species.