Chloroplast microsatellite analysis reveals the presence of population subdivision in Norway spruce (Picea abiesK.)

Abstract

Three chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs), previously sequence characterized and for which paternal inheritance was tested and confirmed, were used to assess their usefulness as informative markers for phylogeographic studies in Norway spruce (Picea abies K.) and to detect spatial genetic differentiation related to the possible recolonization processes in the postglacial period. Ninety-seven populations were included in the survey. Some 8, 7, and 6 different size variants for the three cpSSRs, respectively, were scored by analysing 1105 individuals. The above 21 variants combined into 41 different haplotypes. The distribution of some haplotypes showed a clear geographic structure and seems to be related to the existence of different refugia during the last glacial period. The analysis of chloroplast SSR variation detected the presence of two main gene pools (Sarmathic-Baltic and Alpine--Centre European) and a relatively low degree of differentiation (RST of about 10%), characteristic of tree species with large distribution and probably influenced by an intensive human impact on this species. Based on our data, we were not able to detect any evidence concerning the existence of additional gene pools (e.g., from Balkan and Carpathian glacial refugia), though we cannot exclude the existence of genetic discontinuity within the species' European range. A large proportion of population-specific haplotypes were scored in this species, thus indicating a possible usefulness of these markers for the identification of provenances, seed-lots, and autochthonous stands.

Combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial markers provide new insight into the genetic structure of North European Picea abies

“…*, **, ***, significant correlation coefficient at the 5, 1 and 0.1% levels, respectively. Combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial markers MM Tollefsrud et al of past and present gene flow over the northern European range of the species, corroborating earlier results (Lagercrantz and Ryman, 1990;Vendramin et al, 2000;Tollefsrud et al, 2008b). The overall congruence between the structure at the nuclear loci and the mtDNA is likely to mirror common historical events in the populations.…”

“…Norway spruce, one of the most important ecological and economical forest tree species in Europe, occurs in two disjunct natural ranges, a northern and a southern (Schmidt-Vogt, 1977). These disjunct ranges correspond to two divergent genetic lineages that have likely been separated over several periods of glaciation (Lagercrantz and Ryman, 1990;Vendramin et al, 2000;Heuertz et al, 2006;Tollefsrud et al, 2008b). As inferred from both palaeo and mtDNA data, postglacial colonization of the southern range took place from several distinct refugia, whereas the northern range was colonized from a single, large refugium situated in Russia (Terhü rne-Berson, 2005;Latalowa and van der Knaap, 2006;Tollefsrud et al, 2008b).…”

Chloroplast DNA variation of Betula humilis Schrk. in Poland and Belarus

“…As haplotypes XIV, XVII and XIX are all related to haplotype I, this haplogroup might have come from the east. An eastern refugium has also been deduced for two other cold-tolerant plant species, Picea abies (Vendramin et al 2000) and Pinus silvestris (Pyhäjärvi et al 2008). In order to determine the exact locations of glacial refugia and the routes of recolonisation of B. humilis, future studies should adopt a synergistic approach involving both molecular and palaeoecological studies over the entire range of the species.…”

Multilocus Patterns of Nucleotide Diversity, Linkage Disequilibrium and Demographic History of Norway Spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst]

“…Do nucleotide polymorphisms display patterns of population structure similar to allozymes and cytoplasmic markers? Those markers distinguished two main domains, one covering northeastern Russia and Scandinavia (Baltico-Nordic domain) and the other centered on the Alps and extending into Poland (Alpine and Central European domain, hereafter called the Alpine domain) (Lagercrantz and Ryman 1990;Bucci and Vendramin 2000;Vendramin et al 2000;Sperisen et al 2001). The domains mirror the natural distribution of the species into two main geographical areas with smaller, more isolated pockets in the Carpathians and the Balkans.…”