Karyotyping and Distribution Patterns of Endemic Chinese Lilies: Insights Into Their Conservation Under Climate...

This study integrates cytogenetic and ecological analyses of two endemic Chinese alpine lilies, Lilium lophophorum (2n = 24) and L. nanum (2n = 48), to establish a foundational understanding of their chromosomal diversity and distribution patterns. We document substantial intraspecific karyotypic variation in diploid L. lophophorum, with preliminary associations to altitude, and provide the first chromosomal characterization of tetraploid L. nanum. Ecological niche modeling under future climate scenarios predicts upward range shifts for both species, with the tetraploid exhibiting greater potential for habitat expansion. The distribution patterns, combined with the dwarf phenotype of L. nanum, support the hypothesis that polyploidy may enhance resilience in extreme high-altitude environments. However, the limited sample size warrants interpreting these results as hypothesis-generating rather than demonstrating adaptive superiority. This work offers a theoretical framework for further study, highlighting the need for broader taxonomic and geographic sampling and genomic analyses to test the link between polyploidy and environmental adaptability. These insights also inform conservation planning by emphasizing the protection of high-altitude refugia under climate change.