Genetic diversity and structure of Persicaria amphibia (Polygonaceae) in South Korea using genotyping by sequencing

Persicaria amphibia, a member of the Polygonaceae family, exists both aquatic and terrestrial forms. It is native to North America, Asia, Europe, and some parts of Africa.

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity within and among populations of P. amphibia and the distribution characteristics of each population to investigate insights into the genetic structure and conservation of P. amphibia.

In this study, the genetic diversity and structure of 84 P. amphibia individuals from 7 populations in South Korea were analyzed using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). We used 2,469 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to analyze genetic diversity, principal components, structure, and phylogeny.

Our results showed a mean observed heterozygosity and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.34409 and 0.34082, respectively. Genetic diversity analysis indicated that the variation among populations (60.08%) was greater than that within populations (39.92%). Fixation index values, principal components analysis, structure, and phylogeny analyses showed that the population in Gyodongdo, Ganghwa Island was highly different.

These results provide important insights for better understand the population history and genetic structure of P. amphibia.