Microsatellite and chloroplast DNA analyses reveal no genetic variation in a beach plant Surianana maritima on the Paracel Islands, China

Genetic variation within and among six natural populations of beach plant Suriana maritima on the Paracel Islands of China was assessed using SSR and chloroplast DNA sequence analysis. The results showed a complete absence of genetic variation between individuals either within or among populations. The cumulative consequences of a founder effect, selfing, and inbreeding may be responsible for the loss of genetic diversity in S. maritima.