Phylogeography and the population genetic structure of flowering cherry Cerasus serrulata (Rosaceae) in subtropical and temperate China

Abstract

Cerasus serrulata (Rosaceae) is an important flowering cherry resource which is valuable for developing new cultivars of flowering cherries. It is broadly distributed and possesses abundant variations. In this study, phylogeographic analysis was conducted to reveal the evolutionary history to better understand the genetic diversity and genetic structure of C. serrulata so as to provide more accurate molecular insights into better conservation and utilization of the germplasm resources. A total of 327 individuals from 18 wild populations were collected. Three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments (matK, trnD‐E, and trnS‐G) and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were utilized. The results showed a high genetic diversity at both species level and population level of C. serrulata . High genetic differentiation and the existence of the phylogeographic structure were detected. No significant expansion events were discovered. Two geographic lineages were inferred. One was confined to the Qinling Mountains and the Taihang Mountains. The other was from the Wuling Mountains to the Jiangnan Hilly Regions and then went northeast to the coast of Asia. In addition, some taxonomic treatments of the C. serrulata complex are discussed and reconsidered. Conservation and utilization strategies of wild C. serrulata germplasm resources were recommended.

Population Demographic History of a Rare and Endangered Tree Magnolia sprengeri Pamp. in East Asia Revealed by Molecular Data and Ecological Niche Analysis

“…Some other studies speculated that most of the temperate plants in China may conform to the expansioncontraction model to some extent [20]. Although the number of phylogeographic studies on plants in subtropical China has increased rapidly in recent years (e.g., Cerasus serrulata [21], Quercus variabilis [22], Fagus engleriana [23]). However, there are still some longevous tree species for which the population dynamic history needs to be supplemented in the study of complex systematic geographical structure.…”

The phylogenetic relationship and demographic history of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in subtropical and temperate regions, China

“…Recent researches have mainly focused on exploring mountain species (Tang et al., 2018 ; Yang et al., 2022 ; Yi et al., 2020 ) and indicated that intraspecific population genetic variation is linked to disparate environmental factors and geographic features (Khanal et al., 2018 ; Yi et al., 2020 ). The high mountains have been shown to act as dispersing corridors and glacial refugia for some species during the Pleistocene (Wang et al., 2013 ; Ye et al., 2021 ; Yi et al., 2020 ). Qinling‐Huaihe line (32°N~34°N, Figure 1 ) serves as the boundary between subtropical and temperate regions of China (Qin et al., 2023 ), and there has complex geography on the two sides of the boundary, such as high mountains (Mts.…”

Action Mechanism of Extracts from Cerasus serrulata Flower for Hair-Blacking in C57BL/6 Mice

“…18 C. serrulata is a flowering cherry germplasm resource with a long cultivation history in China, widely distributed across the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. 19,20 C. serrulata is widely used as an ornamental plant and its fructus has also become a popular edible fruit. It also produces a variety of polyphenols that are beneficial to human health, 21 suggesting that some active ingredients in C. serrulata are conducive to the human body.…”