Ecological Systems and Devices Annotation << Back GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION OF RHODIOLA ROSEA (CRASSULACEAE) BY ISSR MARKERS IN THE ALTAI REPUBLIC I.N. Kuban, E.V. Zhmud’, A.A. Achimova, O.V. Dorogina Rhodiola rosea L. is a vulnerable species in the Altai Republic (AR). One of the main factors for its survival is the conservation of genetic diversity, as the species is declining in numbers. The study of the genetic structure in seven cenopopulations of this species in the RA was carried out in AR for the first time using ISSR markers. The aim of the study is a comparative analysis of genetic variability in Rhodiola rosea populations in the AR. Of the 8 primers, HB12 turned out to be the most informative. The percentage of polymorphic loci in the populations ranged from 0 to 88 % (the average was about 43 %). It is shown that populations in the Katunsky Reserve and at the foot of Mount Krasnaya were characterized by higher polymorphism. They are located at relatively lower absolute heights (about 2000 m). Representatives from two high-mountain cenopopulations (CP) differed in minimum genetic polymorphism. Plants from these CPs grew at absolute altitudes of 2400–2500 m in the Sailyugemsky National Park. Despite the relatively small distance from each other, individuals in each of these two populations were characterized by the absence of polymorphism in the distribution of ISSR markers and high genetic differentiation. The probable cause of this phenomenon may be the small number of individuals in populations (10-15 mature generative individuals) and their spatial isolation. High mountain populations require a special approach to conservation due to the homogeneity of their genetic structure and the vulnerability of their existence. Keywords: vulnerable species, intraspecific genetic polymorphism, populations, parameters of genetic diversity. DOI: 10.25791/esip.4.2023.1361 Pp. 03-10.