J Syst Evol

• Research Article •     Next Articles

Population genomics provides insights into the conservation of Carya kweichowensis, a critically endangered karst-endemic hickory tree

Xingyong Cui1, Yanbing Yang2*, Lang Huang2, Yang Zhang3, Mingtai An4, Hong Luo2, Fan Tian2, Yunli Jiang2, Wenpan Dong5, and Ming Kang1   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
    2 Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of South-western China, Guizhou Academy of Forestry, Guiyang 55005, China
    3 Guiyang Wildlife Conservation Station, Guiyang 55003, China
    4 College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    5 School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    * Corresponding author. E-mail:: yangyanbingjh@163.com
  • Received:2026-03-01 Accepted:2026-08-06
  • Supported by:
    Our research was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2024YFF1307400), Survey and Collection of Germplasm Resources for Carya kweichowensis (2024-ZM-22), Forestry Science Project of Guizhou Province of China (QLKHJZ[2025]06H), Survey and Assessment of Newly Added National Key Protected Wild Plant Resources in Guizhou Province (Third stage) (MCHC-ZD20242057), Science and Technology Planning Project of Guizhou Province (QKHFQ[2023]009), and Expansion and Field Return Project in Guiyang City in 2025.

Abstract: Carya kweichowensis is a critically endangered hickory species endemic to the karst forests of southwestern China. Its survival is threatened by severe habitat fragmentation and extremely small population sizes driven largely by human activities. In this study, we combined population genomic analyses with species distribution modeling to inform the conservation of C. kweichowensis. We sampled 66 individuals from 18 wild populations across its remaining range and generated genome-wide data for single-nucleotide polymorphisms to assess genetic structure, diversity, mutational load, and demographic history. The results revealed clear genetic subdivision of remnant populations into distinct groups corresponding to their geographic isolation. Demographic reconstructions suggested a history of population decline and bottlenecks, emphasizing the prolonged vulnerability of this species. Species distribution models predicted severe contraction and shift of its suitable habitat under future climate change scenarios, which would further imperil its persistence. Based on the genetic differentiation observed, we delineated three conservation units for C. kweichowensis. We recommend immediate conservation action for the marginal central and eastern groups. Our study demonstrates that the integration of population genomics, genetic load assessment, and species distribution modeling contributes profoundly to the development of targeted conservation strategies for endangered species.