Genetic differentiation in different endemic boswellia sacra (Burseraceae) populations from Oman

Boswellia sacra is an economically important species of family Burseraceae used for frankincense production, an aromatic bark resin that has been a product of local and global trade since prehistoric times in Oman. To help conservation efforts for Boswellia sacra populations from Oman, we evaluated 13 populations from diverse ecological locations based on RAPD and SDS-PAGE genetic markers. Genetic diversity based information and the pattern of genetic differentiation across the species habitats helps strategies to conserve wild genetic resources. This is the first in Oman on the genetic evaluation of Boswellia sacra populations based on total leaves protein and RAPD analysis. RAPD primers produced a total of 40 RAPD fragments, of which 34 (85%) were polymorphic. Each primer generated 7 to 9 bands with an average of 8 bands per primer. Total leaves protein revealed total 12 polypeptides bands of which 4 (33%) were polymorphic (ranging from 20 to 72 KDa). The levels of expected heterozygosity for RAPD and SDS-PAGE markers were 0.288 and 0.122 respectively. AMOVA analysis showed high level of molecular variance within populations (RAPD - 68% and SDS PAGE - 81%) and low level molecular variance among populations. Isolation by distance model revealed no significant correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances. UPGMA-cluster analysis grouped majority of the populations in the same cluster but some showed high genetic and geographic distances from central and western regions (Thumriat, Dowkha and Mughsil). The results conclude that at present high level of genetic diversity is still preserved in B. sacra populations in Dhofar regions.