scholarly journals Genetic structure of the old black poplar population along the bank of the Vistula River in Poland

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Lewandowski ◽  
Monika Litkowiec

Black poplar (<em>Populus nigra</em> L.) is one of the main woody riparian species in Europe. Because of extensive habitat loss due to river regulations, this species is considered rare and threatened. To analyze genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure, we examined ten nuclear microsatellite loci in a population of very old <em>P. nigra</em> trees growing along the Vistula River in Poland. We found a high level of genetic diversity (<em>H</em><span><sub>E</sub></span> = 0.792, <em>H</em><span><sub>O</sub></span> = 0.731, <em>A</em> = 14.7) that was within the range of other natural European <em>P. nigra</em> populations, and our results showed that sexual propagation is the dominant way of reproduction in the studied population, leading to high clonal diversity (<em>R</em> = 0.91). Additionally, we did not detect a spatial genetic structure resulting in a random spatial distribution of genotypes. Individuals from such old and diverse populations have the potential to provide valuable reproductive material for both restoration programs and breeding purposes.

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Nicolae Șofletea ◽  
Georgeta Mihai ◽  
Elena Ciocîrlan ◽  
Alexandru Lucian Curtu

Small, isolated populations are more vulnerable to natural disturbances and loss of genetic diversity. Scots pine, an abundant tree species in the boreal forest of Eurasia, has a scattered natural distribution across Eastern and Southern Carpathian Mountains, where only a few relict populations still exist. We estimated genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure in Scots pine on the basis of microsatellite nuclear markers (nSSR) data. We found a relatively high level of genetic diversity (He = 0.697) within populations and no evidence of recent bottlenecks. Genetic diversity was lower in peat bog populations, as compared to populations that grow on rocky slopes or acidic soils and nutrient-poor sites. Population genetic structure was weak, and genetic discontinuities among populations were detected. Spatial genetic structure (SGS) was observed in nearly all Scots pine populations. The strength of SGS, quantified by Sp statistics, varied greatly among populations, ranging from 0.0011 to 0.0207, with an average of 0.01. Our study highlights that Eastern and Southern Carpathian populations still possess high within-population diversity in spite of the recent fragmentation and reduction of the Scots pine natural distribution range. We discuss the importance of spatial patterns of genetic diversity for developing strategies of conservation and sustainable use of Scots pine genetic resources in the Carpathian region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Błażej Wójkiewicz ◽  
Andrzewj Lewandowski ◽  
Weronika B. Żukowska ◽  
Monika Litkowiec ◽  
Witold Wachowiak

Abstract Context Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is a keystone species of European riparian ecosystems that has been negatively impacted by riverside urbanization for centuries. Consequently, it has become an endangered tree species in many European countries. The establishment of a suitable rescue plan of the remaining black poplar forest stands requires a preliminary knowledge about the distribution of genetic variation among species populations. However, for some parts of the P. nigra distribution in Europe, the genetic resources and demographic history remain poorly recognized. Aims Here, we present the first study on identifying and characterizing the genetic resources of black poplar from the Oder valley in Poland. This study (1) assessed the genetic variability and effective population size of populations and (2) examined whether gene flow is limited by distance or there is a single migrant pool along the studied river system. Methods A total of 582 poplar trees derived from nine black poplar populations were investigated with nuclear microsatellite markers. Results (1) The allelic richness and heterozygosity level were high and comparable between populations. (2) The genetic structure of the studied poplar stands was not homogenous. (3) The signatures of past bottlenecks were detected. Conclusion Our study (1) provides evidence for genetic substructuring of natural black poplar populations from the studied river catchment, which is not a frequent phenomenon reported for this species in Europe, and (2) indicates which poplar stands may serve as new genetic conservation units (GCUs) of this species in Europe. Key message The genetic resources of black poplar in the Oder River valley are still substantial compared to those reported for rivers in Western Europe. On the other hand, clear signals of isolation by distance and genetic erosion reflected in small effective population sizes and high spatial genetic structure of the analyzed populations were detected. Based on these findings, we recommend the in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for conserving and restoring the genetic resources of black poplar populations in this strongly transformed by human river valley ecosystem.


AGROFOR ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika KUKUČKOVÁ ◽  
Nina MORAVČÍKOVÁ ◽  
Radovan KASARDA

The aim of this study was to assess genetic structure of Slovak Pinzgau populationbased on polymorphism at molecular markers using statistical methods. Femaleoffspring of 12 most frequently used bulls in Slovak Pinzgau breeding programmewere investigated. Pinzgau cattle were found to have a high level of diversity,supported by the number of alleles observed across loci (average 5.31, range 2-11)and by the high within-breed expected heterozygosity (average 0.66, range 0.64-0.73). The state of genetic diversity is satisfying and standard for local populations.Detection of 12 possible subpopulation structures provided us with detailedinformation of the genetic structure. The Bayesian approach was applied, detectingthree, as the most probable number of clusters. The similarity of eachsubpopulation using microsatellites was confirmed also by high-throughputmolecular data. The observed inbreeding (FROH=2.3%) was higher than thatexpected based on pedigree data (FPED=0.4%) due to the limited number ofavailable generations in pedigree data. One of the most important steps indevelopment of efficient autochthonous breed protection programs ischaracterization of genetic variability and assessment of the population structure.The chosen set of microsatellites confirmed the suitability in determination of thesubpopulations of Pinzgau cattle in Slovakia. The state of genetic diversity at moredetailed level was successfully performed using bovineSNP50 BeadChip.


Heredity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Griffiths ◽  
Mark J. Butler ◽  
Donald C. Behringer ◽  
Thierry Pérez ◽  
Richard F. Preziosi

AbstractUnderstanding population genetic structure can help us to infer dispersal patterns, predict population resilience and design effective management strategies. For sessile species with limited dispersal, this is especially pertinent because genetic diversity and connectivity are key aspects of their resilience to environmental stressors. Here, we describe the population structure of Ircinia campana, a common Caribbean sponge subject to mass mortalities and disease. Microsatellites were used to genotype 440 individuals from 19 sites throughout the Greater Caribbean. We found strong genetic structure across the region, and significant isolation by distance across the Lesser Antilles, highlighting the influence of limited larval dispersal. We also observed spatial genetic structure patterns congruent with oceanography. This includes evidence of connectivity between sponges in the Florida Keys and the southeast coast of the United States (>700 km away) where the oceanographic environment is dominated by the strong Florida Current. Conversely, the population in southern Belize was strongly differentiated from all other sites, consistent with the presence of dispersal-limiting oceanographic features, including the Gulf of Honduras gyre. At smaller spatial scales (<100 km), sites showed heterogeneous patterns of low-level but significant genetic differentiation (chaotic genetic patchiness), indicative of temporal variability in recruitment or local selective pressures. Genetic diversity was similar across sites, but there was evidence of a genetic bottleneck at one site in Florida where past mass mortalities have occurred. These findings underscore the relationship between regional oceanography and weak larval dispersal in explaining population genetic patterns, and could inform conservation management of the species.


Plant Biology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1005-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Dettori ◽  
S. Sergi ◽  
E. Tamburini ◽  
G. Bacchetta

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Wodkiewicz ◽  
Bożenna Gruszczyńska

Abstract Stellaria holostea is a clonal herb highly confined to well-established deciduous forests. This study examined whether its genetic diversity and spatial genetic organization in urban forest islands is similar to the values from well-established populations outside urban landscape. We studied four populations in Warsaw and two populations from well preserved forests outside the city. Genetic diversity was greater in populations from well-preserved forests than from forests heavily exploited in the past. High clonal diversity indices indicate that the studied populations did not lose the ability to reproduce sexually. The small populations in urban forests differed from the remaining sites in spatial organization. High overall FST (0.24) and the lack of correlation between genetic and geographic distance between the studied populations indicate limited gene flow. Urban forests may be of great value for conservation of S. holostea and other ancient forest species as they may still harbor substantial genetic variability despite their isolation.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Seung-Beom Chae ◽  
Hyo-In Lim ◽  
Yong-Yul Kim

The restoration of damaged or disrupted forests with genetically appropriate restoration planting material that can adapt to future environmental conditions will ensure the conservation of forest genetic resources. Abies koreana is endemic to the Republic of Korea, with declining populations under current environmental changes. In this study, we examined the genetic diversity of its largest population growing on Mt. Hallasan to determine the sampling size of planting material from the population that will ensure 95% coverage of alleles in the population. We evaluated the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of three subpopulations of A. koreana on Mt. Hallasan. A total of 456 samples were evaluated using 10 microsatellites. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity were 0.538 and 0.614 at the population level, respectively. The differences among the subpopulations accounted for 4% of the total variance. Intervals between individuals of the sample to be extracted were based on the two-target distance (5 and 10 m) inferred from the spatial genetic structure. Through random sampling methods considering the target distance, we showed that genetic diversity can be captured by obtaining at least 35 individuals in the population of A. koreana on Mt. Hallasan.


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