Levels of genetic variation in European silver fir (Abies alba)

Abstract

The distribution of genetic variation at nine enzyme gene loci in the European range of silver fir is studied with the aim to characterize the genetic basis of this species' adaptive potentials. For this purpose, the basic notions of physiological and evolutionary adaptive potential are briefly discussed in connection with operating and latent genetic potentials of populations. A measure for the quantification of latent genetic potential is introduced together with a procedure that evaluates the detective power of the samples taken. The results obtained from application of this measure are in striking accordance with earlier suggestions based chiefly on ecophysiological traits, and which assume both low physiological and evolutionary adaptive potential in the central and northeastern European populations of silver fir. Moreover, careful consideration of the structural and functional characteristics of the enzymes used in the present study support the assumption that they are not selectively neutral, and in one case it can indeed be demonstrated that the two alleles at a locus are very likely to be under selection for temperature differences between central and southern European populations.

Genetic analysis of silver-fir populations in the North Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains

“…This hypothesis was discredited in the early isozymes studies on the genetic structure of the silver-fir population (Mejnartowicz 1979). Populations of the species exhibited great genetic variation and diversity, with values comparable with those described in pine populations, and even higher than in spruce populations (Bergmann et al 1990; Breitenbach-Dorfer et al 1997; Konnert et al Berg-mann 1995;Lewandowski et al 2001;Liepelt et al 2002;Mejnartowicz 1979aMejnartowicz , 1996Mejnartowicz , 2000Schroeder 1989). …”

Geographical cline of DNA variation within the F intersterility group of Heterobasidion annosum in Italy

“…It is generally agreed that the amount of genetic variation in the silver fir populations in Europe changes along a north-south continuum (Larsen, 1989;Bergmann et al, 1990). Furthermore, within the Italian peninsula, different indigenous populations of silver fir show a cline of significant genetic differences (Ciampi & Di Tomaso, 1973;Kramer, 1984) and they can be grouped, following ecological criteria, into four subpopulations (Gellini, 1973).…”

Growth dynamics and climatic sensitivity of Silver fir (Abies albaMill.) in the European important site (SIC) at the Alpe della Luna - Bocca Trabaria (PU - Italy)

“…Le analisi genetiche e polliniche raggruppano per somiglianza l'abete appenninico a quello del centro Europa, ipotizzando l'esistenza di una rotta migrato ria post-glaciale dall'Appennino centro-settentriona le verso nord e l'isolamento delle popolazioni cala bresi nel rifugio glaciale (Larsen 1986, Bergmann et al 1990, Konnert & Bergmann 1995, Parducci et al Gallucci V & Urbinati C -Forest@ 6: 85-99 1996, Breitenbach-Dorfer et al 1997, Taberlet et al 1998, Vendramin et al 1999, Longauer et al 2003. Queste ultime sono caratterizzate da un'elevata va riabilità genetica che ha permesso l'evoluzione di ecotipi particolarmente adattatati alle condizioni am bientali del luogo.…”

“…Queste ultime sono caratterizzate da un'elevata va riabilità genetica che ha permesso l'evoluzione di ecotipi particolarmente adattatati alle condizioni am bientali del luogo. Le altre popolazioni invece sono andate incontro a fenomeni di deriva genetica e di perdita della variabilità come probabile risposta a condizioni climatiche avverse incontrate durante il processo di ricolonizzazione (Larsen 1986, Bergmann et al 1990, Breitenbach-Dorfer et al 1997, Ducci & Proietti 1997, Wick & Mohl 2006. Tale riduzione è considerata un fattore predisponente a forme di stress che hanno condotto a fenomeni di deperimen to e, nei casi estremi, alla locale scomparsa dell'abete bianco, registrati dalla metà del XX secolo in gran parte dell'Europa centrale (Larsen 1986).…”