Microsatellite polymorphism in the edaphic spruce, Picea asperata, originating from the mountains of China

Abstract

Microsatellite variation of Picea asperata Mast. originating from the mountains of China was investigated by analyzing variation at seven SSR loci in 250 individuals representing ten populations. A fair degree of genetic diversity and considerable population subdivision occurred with the mean gene diversity (H) of 0.707, and genetic distances among populations varying between 0.121 and 0.224 (F ST ) and between 0.100 and 0.537 (R ST ). However, inter-population genetic distances showed no correlation with geographic distances between the population sites. This ruled out a simple isolation by distance model and suggested that migration does not have a great impact. In fact, the amount of gene flow, detected using private alleles, was very low, equaling only 0.753. Allele permutation tests revealed that stepwise-like mutations, coupled with genetic drift, could contribute to population differentiation. Moreover, significant genetic differences between populations were detected at most loci. The results indicate that natural selection, presumably through environmental stress, may be one of the main factors causing micro-geographical differentiation in the genetic structure of P. asperata. Based on SSR genotypes, 70% of the 250 individuals were correctly classified into their sites of origin. This suggests that microsatellites (SSRs) are effective in distinguishing genotypes of P. asperata originating from diverse eco-geographical sites in China.

Determination of Genetic Diversity of Vitis vinifera cv. Kabarcik Populations from the Coruh Valley Using SSR Markers

“…Similar results were observed in Picea asperata (H e = 0.707; Wang et al 2006) and Rheum tanguticum (H e = 0.515; Chen et al 2009) at the population level. Another species, Anisodus tangticus (Solanaceae) was found to have a moderate genetic diversity (H e = 0.195) at the population level (Zheng et al 2008).…”

Genetic variation of isolated Picea balfouriana populations from the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…Compared with previous studies on conifers based on SSR markers, such as investigations on the discontinuously distributed P. asperata (mean H e = 0.707, Wang et al, 2006) and widely distributed P. abies (mean H e = 0.604, Meloni et al, 2007; mean H e = 0.675, Scotti et al, 2006), P. balfouriana populations possess a moderate degree of genetic diversity (mean H e = 0.640). Based on STS markers, the variation level of P. balfouriana populations was similar to that reported previously for both continuously (mean H e = 0.573) and disjointedly (mean H e = 0.566) distributed Sitka spruce populations (Gapare et al, 2005 NS: Not significant; * significant at P < 0.05; * * significant at P < 0.01.…”