Cliffs are the primary habitat of many rare and endangered plant species, but few studies have investigated the genetic diversity of these species. Taihangia rupestris Yu et Li (Rosaceae) is the only species of the genus Taihangia, which occurs exclusively in small crevices on the faces of north-facing vertical cliffs at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1500 m above sea level. It is a perennial herb endemic to the southern part of the Taihang Mountains in northern China. We sampled fresh leaves from 11 to 38 individuals of T. rupestris in each of eight cliff-face populations located in the provinces of Hebei, Shanxi and Henan in China. The leaves were dried by silica gel and DNA was extracted. We then assessed the genetic variability within and among the eight populations of T. rupestris using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Within the 150 plants sampled, 81.2% of the 117 RAPD markers detected were polymorphic, and Nei’s diversity (H) was on average 0.21 in the eight populations and 0.28 in the species as a whole. The grouping of the eight populations by clustering analysis agreed with their pattern of geographical distribution and with the separation of the species into two varieties (T. rupestris var. ciliata and T. rupestris var. rupestris). Genetic distances (Φst) were significantly correlated with geographic distances. Although significant genetic differentiation existed between groups (varieties) and among populations, a high proportion (65.4%) of the total genetic variation was maintained within populations. Therefore, high genetic diversity is preserved in the cliffdwelling populations, and in situ protection of T. rupestris should focus on the protection of the habitat of both varieties, which may be of particular importance for the long-term survival of this species.
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