Thirteen allozyme loci and 68 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were analyzed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of threatened Antirrhinum microphyllum (Scrophulariaceae), a narrow endemic of central Spain known from only four populations. According to allozyme data, species genetic diversity (p = 46.15%, A = 2.61, and H_e = 0.218), as well as within‐population genetic diversity (p = 44.23%, A = 2.10, and H_e = 0.204), were high when compared to average estimates for other narrowly distributed plant species. Ninety‐four percent of species genetic diversity corresponded to within‐population genetic diversity. Nevertheless, significant differences were found among populations in allele frequencies of four of the six polymorphic loci, and three private alleles were detected. Inbreeding coefficients (F_IS) suggest that populations are structured in genetic neighborhoods. The RAPDs also showed high levels of genetic diversity (p = 89.71% and H_e = 0.188 at the species level, and p = 67.65% and H_e = 0.171 at the population level). Nei's genetic distances estimated both from allozymes and RAPDs indicated low differentiation among populations. In spite of this, the low frequencies of certain alleles and the presence of private alleles indicate that efforts should be made to conserve all four remaining populations.

The present paper reviews the use of ecogeographical studies in the efficient conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. While the use of genotypic information in agrobiodiversity studies has experienced a rapid boost during the last two decades, the use of environmental information on the collecting sites of the conserved germplasm (i.e., ecogeographical characterization) has gained importance in a more gradual way. Today we know that ecogeographical characterization reveals the adaptive range of species conserved and shows the most important environmental factors or variables for adaptation. Progress in ecogeographical characterization has been helped by the development and popularization of geographic information systems (GIS) software applications and environmental data arranged in layers compatible with such applications. GIS are useful to manage and analyze georeferenced data, such as passport collection data and environmental variables. Thus, GIS have become the best tool to perform ecogeographical analyses. Other related tools such as species distribution models or gap analysis can be easily integrated in ecogeographical analysis, offering improved results. As a result, GIS, related tools and ecogeographical analysis can be useful in a wide range of applications in the collection, conservation, characterization, documentation and utilization of plant genetic resources.

The volatile oils from two species of genus Salvia L., of the Lamiaceae family, Salvia aethiopis L. and S. sclarea L. have been examined by means of GC/MS in combination with retention indices. The main constituents of the essential oil of S. aethiopis were found to be: α-copaene (10.43-9–15%), germacrene D (10.46–4.95%) and bicyclogermacrene (41.48–29.54%). The volatile oil of S. sclarea was found to contain linalool (32.97%), α-terpineol (5.63%), linalyl acetate (16.85%) and germacrene D (7–57%) as major components.