Patterns of seed dispersal in a scattered forest tree species (Sorbus torminalis) based on multi-scale investigation of population genetic structure for chloroplast DNA

AbstractThis study examined the mechanisms of facilitation and importance of seed dispersal during establishment of forest tree species in an Afrotropical woodland. Seedling survival of Syzygium guineense ssp. afromontanum was monitored for 2.5 years at four different microsites in savannah woodland in Malawi (southeastern Africa) under Ficus natalensis (a potential nurse plant), Brachystegia floribunda (a woodland tree), Uapaca kirkiana (a woodland tree), and at a treeless site. The number of naturally established forest tree seedlings in the woodland was also counted. Additionally, S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seed deposition was monitored at the four microsites. Insect damage (9% of the total cause of mortality) and trampling by ungulates (1%) had limited impact on seedling survival in this area. Fire (43%) was found to be the most important cause of seedling mortality and fire induced mortality was especially high under U. kirkiana (74%) and at treeless site (51%). The rate was comparatively low under F. natalensis (4%) and B. floribunda (23%), where fire is thought to be inhibited due to the lack of light-demanding C4 grasses. Consequently, seedling survival under F. natalensis and B. floribunda was higher compared with the other two microsites. The seedling survival rate was similar under F. natalensis (57%) and B. floribunda (59%). However, only a few S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seedlings naturally established under B. floribunda (25/285) whereas many seedlings established under F. natalensis (146/285). These findings indicate that the facilitative mechanism of fire suppression is not the only factor affecting establishment. The seed deposition investigation revealed that most of the seeds (85%) were deposited under F. natalensis. As such, these findings suggest that in addition to fire suppression, dispersal limitations also play a role in forest-savannah dynamics in this region, especially at the community level.

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Population genetic structure of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in Belarus according to the analysis of chloroplast DNA

Journal of the Belarusian State University Biology ◽

10.33581/2521-1722-2021-3-59-70 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 59-70

Author(s):

Vladimir E. Padutov

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Chloroplast Dna ◽

Population Genetic Structure ◽

Population Genetic ◽

Quercus Robur ◽

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Rflp Analysis ◽

Pedunculate Oak ◽

Maximum Likelihood Methods ◽

The Republic

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is one of the main forest forming species in the Republic of Belarus. Its population genetic structure was formed under the influence of various migration processes. Six chloroplast DNA loci (µdt1, µdt3, µdt4, µcd4, µcd5 and µkk4) were used for the genogeographic study. The material for the analysis was collected in 100 oak forest stands (2325 samples); 18 allelic variants were identified, which are grouped into 17 different combinations (haplotypes). Five of them are widespread (the proportion of occurrence varies from 7 to 48 %, totalling 85 %). The remaining 12 are rare (the proportion of occurrence varies from 1 to 3 %, totalling 15 %). Phylogenetic trees constructed using the nearest neighbour and maximum likelihood methods show the presence of two groups (branches) of haplotypes. One of it comprises 8 variants including 2 dominant haplotypes and the other comprises 9 variants including 3 dominant haplotypes. PCR-RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA showed that the pedunculate oak in Belarus originates from the Balkan refugium. Haplotype No. 1 (µdt189, µdt3123, µdt4142, µcd494, µcd574, µkk4109) is found almost everywhere in Belarus with the exception of the southwest and northeast, while haplotype No. 8 (µdt189, µdt3121, µdt4142, µcd494, µcd574, µkk4109) is mainly localised in the southwest and northeast. Haplotypes No. 3 (µdt189, µdt3120, µdt4141, µcd494, µcd575, µkk4109) and No. 7 (µdt189, µdt3122, µdt4142, µcd494, µcd574, µkk4109) predominantly found in the west of the country. Haplotype No. 2 (µdt190, µdt3120, µdt4141, µcd495, µcd574, µkk4109) is typical for the southeast.

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