Eucalyptus camaldulensis is one of the most widely utilised eucalypts. It is also the only eucalypt that occurs across the Australian continent, playing a key ecological role as fauna habitat and in riverbank stabilisation. Despite its ecological and economic importance, uncertainty remains regarding the delineation of genetic and morphological variants. Nine hundred and ninety trees from 97 populations, representing the species' geographic range were genotyped using 15 microsatellite loci and patterns of diversity compared with restriction fragment length polymorphisms in 29 of these populations. Both markers showed that despite having a riverine distribution, downstream seed dispersal has had less influence than geographic distance on dispersal patterns. Spatial patterns in the distribution of microsatellite genotypes were compared with environmental parameters and boundaries defined by river systems, drainage basins and proposed subspecies. Significant genetic differences among populations within river systems indicated that rivers should not be treated as a single genetic entity in conservation or breeding programmes. Strong geographic trends were evident with 40% of variation in genetic diversity explained by latitude and moisture index. Isolation by distance and significant correlations between genetic distance and environmental parameters for most loci suggest historical factors have had more influence than selection on current patterns of distribution of genetic diversity. Geographic structuring of molecular variation, together with congruence between genetic and morphological variation indicate that E. camaldulensis should be treated as a number of subspecies rather than a single variable taxon. High levels of genetic diversity and geographic trends in the distribution of variation provide a firm basis for further exploration of the species' genetic resources.

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Eucalyptus benthamiiMaiden & Cambage is a forest tree of interest for conservation and plantation forestry. It is vulnerable to extinction, occurring on the alluvial floodplains of the Nepean River and its tributaries, south-west of Sydney, Australia. These floodplains were largely cleared of native vegetation for agriculture by the mid-1800s. Flooding of the Cox Valley for Sydney's water supply further decreased the species distribution. The species is now confined to one population of approximately 6500 trees in the Kedumba valley and three remnant populations on the Nepean River at Bents Basin (about 300 trees), Wallacia (nine trees) and Camden (about 30 trees). Genetic analysis of the four populations using microsatellite markers revealed significant divergence among all populations, despite the Bents Basin, Wallacia and Camden remnants being separated by distances of only a few kilometres. Trees in these populations have been estimated to range from 35 to 200 years old, suggesting genetic divergence among populations occurred prior to land clearing. To investigate the impact of fragmentation on the next generation, outcrossing rates were estimated from 41 families. While no direct relationship was found between population size and outcrossing rates, fragmentation and the isolation of trees appears to have resulted in higher levels of selfing and biparental inbreeding in seed collected from the Camden and Wallacia remnants. There was also evidence from seedling morphology that inter-species gene flow increased with fragmentation since 20% of the progeny from Camden and 30% of the progeny from Wallacia were hybrids. Seed viability and germination rates were significantly lower in the remnant populations, reducing their value as seed sources for regeneration and plantation forestry. To maintain the genetic integrity of the remnant populations, germplasm should be sourced from the local area. Outcrossed, nonhybrid seed could be produced by controlled pollination in ex-situ conservation stands or by using seedling morphology and microsatellites to screen seedlings from the remnant populations.

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Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. has one of the widest natural distributions of any Australian tree species. It is represented in most climatic zones and the majority of river systems across Australia. Numerous studies have documented morphological and genotypic variation among populations from across its range. Its adaptation to a wide range of environments has contributed to it becoming one of the most widely cultivated eucalypts across a range of arid, temperate and tropical countries. A recent range-wide study of E. camaldulensis with microsatellite markers concluded that its patterns of genetic variation were consistent with it comprising seven infraspecific taxa. As foreshadowed in that study, here we describe these taxa, viz. subsp. acuta, subsp. arida, subsp. camaldulensis, subsp. minima, subsp. obtusa, subsp. refulgens and subsp. simulata. A key to subspecies is presented, with each subspecies being illustrated and the main differences tabulated. Operculum shape, the arrangement of stamens in the bud and the reticulation density of adult leaves are some of the main characters distinguishing taxa. Clustering patterns from further analyses of the microsatellite data were consistent with morphological affinities among subspecies. Typification issues and lignotuber status are among topics discussed.