Potentila indica (Andr.) nov. (wild strawberry) in Sri Lanka is Restricted to a Small Climatic Envelop Urging Strict Conservation

Abstract

Purpose : The nomenclature of the wild strawberries inhabited in Sri Lanka is ambiguous. In Sri Lanka, this species is still named Duchesnea indica which needs a revision. Wild strawberries grow well in natural habitats of upcountry in Sri Lanka. Since the commercial strawberry cultivations gain a popularity in upcountry, the studies on wild strawberry is essential for crop improvement and management. Research Method : In the present study, we conducted extensive field sampling followed by a phylogenetic analysis with the DNA barcoding markers ITS and, trnL-F by using a representative sample of wild strawberry plants in Sri Lanka. The distribution of the species was identified using maximum entropy modeling approaches. Findings : Sri Lankan wild strawberry got placed at subtribe: Potentilla, and clade: Reptans and show a shallow divergence with the species Potentilla indica reported. Thus, we reposition the genus of wild strawberries in Sri Lanka from Duchesnea to Potentilla and hereafter name it as P. indica. The niche model analysis predicted a highly restricted distribution of Sri Lankan wild strawberry in Nuwara-Eliya district over an area of 166.36 km2 in the altitude range of 1546 - 2524 m in a small climatic envelop highlighting the need for urgent conservation measures. Research Limitations : The pop-set for available in literature of P. indica is limited for comparison. Extensive studies based on DNA sequencing is needed for further validation. Originality / Value : Taxonomy, narrow distribution, need of conservation, and phylogenetic distance to Fragaria chiloensis, a progenitor species of cultivated strawberry, are defined for Sri Lankan wild strawberries.