The first SSR-based assessment of genetic variation and structure amongPinus laricioPoiret populations within their native area

Abstract

Pinus laricio Poiret is the most widespread conifer occurring in Calabria (Sila and Aspromonte Massifs), Sicily (Etna Mount) and Corsica. Particularly, Calabrian laricio pine forests are strongly related to complex geological history, lithological and climatic characteristics and long human exploitation of the Sila territory, of which they are the most emblematic element. As far as we know, the P. laricio populations from their main range areas have never been thoroughly studied at the molecular level. This paper reports the first deep analysis of the genetic variability and structure of individuals from populations located in Calabria, Sicily and Corsica using both chloroplast and nuclear microsatellite markers. Significant variation within populations and low differentiation among populations were found by means of molecular variance estimates for both types of markers. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed an unexpected grouping of P. laricio populations with individuals from Sila and, particularly, those from the Natural Reserve of Fallistro, have been identified as genetically distinct. Temporal genetic analysis in three large P. laricio populations also showed that there were no differences in genetic diversity levels over time, however it allowed to recognize populations which deserve to be considered as a high priority for suitable preservation and management.

Does Thinning Intensity Affect Wood Quality? An Analysis of Calabrian Pine in Southern Italy Using a Non-Destructive Acoustic Method

“…In Southern Italy, Calabrian pine forests are strongly related to the complex geological history, lithological and climatic characteristics, and also to the long history of human exploitation of the related forest stands [1]. In the past, Calabrian pine has provided valuable timber useful for building houses and vessels, as well as offering resinous substances (pitch) employed for a variety of purposes [2]. This species is particularly common in Sicily and on the Etna Volcano, but is mainly found in the Sila and Aspromonte National Parks in Calabria Region.…”

Vascular plant species diversity of Mt. Etna (Sicily): endemicity, insularity and spatial patterns along the altitudinal gradient of the highest active volcano in Europe

“…The most emblematic case is that of Pinus nigra subsp. calabrica, a typical element of the Calabrian Peloritan arch (Cirrincione et al, 2015;Sciandrello et al, 2015); it marks an ancient geological history also linked to the Sardinian-Corsican plaque (Bonavita et al, 2016). Today P. nigra subsp.…”

Portuguese Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold populations: genetic diversity, structure and relationships inferred by SSR markers

“…Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold is one of the leading commercial important conifers of the Mediterranean region (Bonavita et al 2016). P. nigra has been widely used for reforestation of difficult soils with hard climatic conditions (Portoghesi et al 2013).…”

“…This Mediterranean pine has an extensive and scattered distribution through Northern Africa, Northern Mediterranean, eastwards to the Black Sea, Corsica and Sicily islands (Vidaković 1991;Gaussen et al 1993;Afzal-Rafii and Dodd 2007;Olsson et al 2020). The populations of P. nigra studied by various authors presented high variation at different levels (Scaltsoyiannes et al 1994;Rafii et al 1996;Quézel and Médail 2003;Bogunić et al 2003Bogunić et al , 2007Bogunić et al , 2009 Afzal- Rafii and Dodd 2007;del Cerro et al 2009;Rubio-Moraga et al 2012;Bonavita et al 2016). Due to their geographically fragmented distribution areas, a reduced intrapopulation genetic diversity for these P. nigra populations is expected (Scotti-Saintagne et al 2019).…”

“…This information is of utmost importance under the scope of afforestation/reforestation programs regarding the existence of multiple inter-fertile subspecies of P. nigra (Quézel and Médail 2003;Naydenov et al 2006;Zaghi et al 2008). Besides, the information about intra-and inter-population, genetic diversity is also relevant for the maintenance of the stability of forest ecosystems, the adaptive potential to biotic and abiotic stresses (Muller-Starck et al 1992;Çengel et al 2012), and to assign high priority populations that deserve to be preserved and managed (Bonavita et al 2016). Knowledge of genetic diversity can give insights about the adaptive potential and/or the evolutionary history of a species, being particularly crucial in trees with a long life cycle (Hamrick 2004;Giovannelli et al 2017).…”