Cheirolophus uliginosus is a rare species, endemic to the south-western Iberian Peninsula, and listed as a characteristic taxon from the temperate Atlantic wet heaths, a priority habitat for conservation by the European Union. The conservation status of this species in most of its distribution area is poorly known, but, in recent times, some populations have disappeared and there has been a reduction in the number of individuals in others. In this context, we analysed the effects of population size on genetic diversity, revealing that genetic erosion and inbreeding depression could be having a significant impact on smaller populations. Furthermore, we studied the patterns of genetic structure and variability at the species level, finding a strikingly low within-population diversity and high among-population genetic differentiation. Finally, the genetic structure analyses suggested a long and complex phylogeographical history of C.uliginosus in the region, in agreement with the climate relict status proposed for this species.

DV benefitted from an FPU grant from the Ministerio de Educación of the Spanish government, and AG-F benefitted from a postdoctoral contract (Project CGL2010-22234-C02-01). JP benefitted from a Beatriu de Pinós postdoctoral fellowship with the support of the Secretary for Universities and Research of the Ministry of Economy and Knowledge (Government of Catalonia) and co-funding from Marie Curie Actions (European Union 7thR&DFramework Programme). This work was supported by the Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica (Spanish Government; projects CGL2010-22234-C02- 01, 02/BOS and CGL2013-49097-C2-2-P) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (‘Ajuts a grups de recerca consolidats’ 2009SGR0439 and 2014SGR514).

Post-print del artículo publicado en Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. Versión revisada y corregida

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