What can the DNA of a plant threatened with extinction tell us?
The CCB (Sardinia Germplasm Bank) has studied the genetic diversity of Linaria flava subsp. sardoa, an endemic species that grows exclusively in Sardinia and Corsica and is protected at the European level by the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. By analyzing 96 individuals from 8 populations, they discovered low genetic diversity, a high level of inbreeding, and strong isolation between the populations.
Understanding genetic diversity is essential for protecting threatened species! Research findings help us identify the most effective strategies for species conservation, including interventions to bolster natural populations.
The study, conducted as part of our project, has been published in the international journal Conservation Genetics and is available for free at the following link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-026-01843-1
