This study aimed to elucidate the intra and interpopulation genetic variation of Pastor roseus in Xinjiang, China. Sequences of the mitochondrial genes COI and Cytb of 108 individuals from 10 distinct geographical populations across four regions of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were analyzed. The mitochondrial genes were 1551 and 1143 bp in full length, respectively, and the AT content of bases was greater than the GC content. Based on the molecular variation in COI and Cytb, 62 and 69 haplotypes were detected, respectively; the average haplotype diversity (H d) values were 0.976 ± 0.006 and 0.944 ± 0.018, respectively, and the nucleotide diversity (π) values were 0.00316 ± 0.00016 and 0.00292 ± 0.00021, respectively, indicating that there was high genetic diversity among the 10 population. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the major source of genetic variation was within the populations. Analysis of molecular signatures of neutrality indicated that Tajima's D value was not significant, but Fu's F S was significant, suggesting that P. roseus populations have recently experienced a large population expansion, but that the populations are currently relatively stable and the selection pressure is low, The Bayesian Skyline Plot (BSP) results indicate that the expansion occurred approximately 0.0015 million years ago. Although the P. roseus currently maintains a high level of genetic diversity and population connectivity, its recent population decline and the geographical isolation risks faced by some populations cannot be ignored. To sustain its crucial ecological role as a natural enemy of locusts, future conservation strategies should focus on ensuring habitat quality, preserving migration route integrity, and facilitating gene flow among populations.
Keywords: Pastor roseus; genetic diversity; genetic structure; mitochondrial DNA.
© 2026 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.