Lonely on Limestone: A conservation genomics study of Gentianella calcis (New Zealand) with taxonomic implications.

Robb W. Eastman-Densem (University of Canterbury); Hermann Frank (Timaru Museum); Jana R. Wold (University of Canterbury); David S. Glenny (Landcare Research); Peter B. Heenan (Landcare Research); Pieter B. Pelser (University of Canterbury).

Prioritisation of taxa for conservation often relies on taxonomy, and embracing the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the former is crucial to ensure the most positive outcomes given limited resources. In New Zealand this is especially true for Gentianella calcis, an obligate limestone taxon comprising four threatened (nationally critical) subspecies endemic to the eastern South Island. In addition to threats posed by the small (often with < 20 plants), isolated nature of many of its populations, questions surrounding the distinctiveness of its subspecies mean that it urgently needs a genomics-informed conservation plan. To do this, we used markers from Genotyping By Sequencing to inform conservation management by resolving the inter- and intra-specific taxonomic delimitation and investigate patterns of genetic diversity and connectivity, bridging the gaps between systematics, population genomics and conservation management.