Loss of genetic variation in geographically marginal populations of Atriplex tatarica (Chenopodiaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Genetic variability was estimated for Atriplex tatarica from 25 populations in the Czech Republic. Since its north-western range margin is in central Europe, a relationship between marginality and low within-population genetic diversity was tested in accordance with the Central-Marginal Model. METHODS: Population genetic diversity was expressed by assessing patterns of variation at 13 putatively neutral allozyme loci (comprising 30 putative alleles) within and between 25 natural populations of A. tatarica along a north-west-south-east transect in the Czech Republic. KEY RESULTS: Atriplex tatarica is a species of human-made habitats with a mixed mating system and wide geographic distribution. Overall, A. tatarica displayed moderate levels of genetic diversity in comparison with other herbaceous plants. The percentage of loci that were polymorphic was 47.1%, with average values of 1.55, 0.151 and 0.155 for the average number of alleles per polymorphic locus (A), observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He), respectively. There was only weak evidence of inbreeding within populations (FIS=0.031) and significant population differentiation (FST=0.214). Analysis of the data provides no evidence for isolation-by-distance for the whole study area. However, Mantel tests were highly significant for the marginal Bohemian region and non-significant for the central Moravian region. While northern populations of A. tatarica showed significantly lower allelic richness (A=1.462) than populations from the southern part of the study area (A=1.615), they did not differ in observed heterozygosity (Ho), gene diversity (HS), inbreeding within populations (FIS) or population differentiation (FST), despite generally lower values of particular genetic measurements in the marginal region. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic diversity, with the exception of allelic richness, was not significantly lower at the margins of the species' range. This, therefore, provides only weak support for the predictions of the Central-Marginal Model.     

Spatial genetic structure and clonal diversity of island populations of lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) from the Biebrza National Park (northeast Poland)

Three populations of the rare and endangered plant species Cypripedium calceolus were included in a study of genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure in the Biebrza National Park, northeast Poland. Analysis of 11 allozyme loci indicate that the populations of this species contained high genetic variability (P = 45.5%, A= 1.73). On the other hand, the genetic differentiation (FST = 0.014, P < 0.05) among C. calceolus populations was very low when compared to other species with similar life history characteristics. The observed high rate of gene flow (Nm = 18) may suggest that the populations studied derived from each other in the recent past. Five polymorphic allozyme markers identified 109 multilocus genotypes in three populations and the majority of them (67%) were population-specific. One of the populations studied, characterized by particularly extensive vegetative reproduction, showed the lowest clonal diversity (G/N = 0.15) and heterozygosity (HO = 0.111) values and the highest FIS(0.380), when compared to other two populations (G/N = 0.26-0.27, HO= 0.166-178, FIS = 0.024-0.055). This may indicate that clonal reproduction has an important influence on the genetic structure of C. calceolus populations. The longevity of genets, the out-crossing breeding system and the presence of recruitment from seeds are factors maintaining genetic diversity in C. calceolus.     

Genetic structure and outcrossing rates in Flourensia cernua (Asteraceae) growing at different densities in the South-western Chihuahuan Desert

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Flourensia cernua is a partially self-incompatible, wind-pollinated shrub that grows in two scrub types of contrasting densities. It was anticipated that differences in plant density would affect the amount of genotype availability, and thus higher outcrossing rates and less genetic differentiation would be found at high-density sites. METHODS: At five high-density sites and at five low-density sites, 11 allozyme loci were analysed in adults. Outcrossing rates were estimated using five allozyme loci sampled from eight families from each scrub type. KEY RESULTS: High levels of genetic variation were found at all sites (ranging from P = 82-100 %, He = 0.33-0.45, and Ho = 0.4-0.59). Heterozygotes were found in excess (FIS = -0.15 +/- 0.06 s.d.), suggesting that natural selection favours heterozygosity, and there was little differentiation between sites (FST = 0.08 +/- 0.02 s.d.). Life history attributes, such as long-lived habit and wide geographic distribution, as well as the presence of a self-incompatibility system may explain these results. Outcrossing rates did not differ from 1.0 in both scrub types, and there was no genetic differentiation between scrub types (FST = -0.01 +/- 0.004 s.d.). CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of outcrossing favoured by partial incompatibility may generate unrestricted gene flow between scrub types and thus may explain the lack of differentiation between them. High heterozygosity could be expected in long-lived plants of arid zones as they confront a variable and stressing environment.     

Evaluation of Genetic Differentiation in Bos indicus Cattle Breeds from Marathwada Region of India Using Microsatellite Polymorphism

Elucidation of genetic variability and genetic relationship among breeds has direct relevance with the issues of sustainable use of domestic animal genetic resources. In the present study, genetic polymorphism was evaluated using 22 microsatellite loci in unrelated samples of Red Kandhari and Deoni cattle breeds inhabiting the same geographical area of Marathwada region in Maharashtra state (western India). This work was mainly aimed at assessing the current genetic diversity to understand whether the two zebu populations in question are genetically differentiated. A total of 164 alleles were detected with an average of 5.82 and 5.86 alleles per locus (MNA) in Red Kandhari and Deoni breeds, respectively. The estimated mean observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity were 0.47 and 0.64 in Red Kandhari vs. 0.57 and 0.69 in Deoni cattle, respectively, demonstrating considerable level of genetic variation in both the populations. Mean estimates of F statistics were: F (FIT) = 0.315±0.035, f(FIS) = 0.231±0.031, θ(FST) = 0.110±0.022, with both the breeds exhibiting significant deficit of heterozygotes (FIS = 0.179 in Deoni; 0.278 in Red Kandhari). The multilocus FST values implied that 11.0% of the total genetic variation corresponds to breed and were statistically greater than zero for the two populations, suggesting population division. The evaluation of exact test also indicated that allele frequencies across all the loci differed significantly (P < 0.001) between two zebu breeds, further supporting population differentiation. Different genetic distance measures showed considerable levels of distances between the two cattle breeds (0.318 = Nei's standard DS; 0.250 = Nei's DA; 0.416 = Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards's DC; 0.164 = Reynold's, and 2.64 = Delta mu square (dμ)2. Bayesian statistical approach to assign each individual to the population also supported considerable differentiation between the two cattle breeds, possibly reflecting the limited gene flow between the two Marthwada cattle populations. The existence of cohesive breeding structure of both the breeds was further substantiated by allele-sharing distance measures (DAS) among individual animals. The results of this study thus revealed that the two Bos indicus breeds sharing the common breeding tracts are genetically differentiated enough as separate breeds.     

Evaluation of genetic differentiation in Bos indicus cattle breeds from Marathwada region of India using microsatellite polymorphism

Elucidation of genetic variability and genetic relationship among breeds has direct relevance with the issues of sustainable use of domestic animal genetic resources. In the present study, genetic polymorphism was evaluated using 22 microsatellite loci in unrelated samples of Red Kandhari and Deoni cattle breeds inhabiting the same geographical area of Marathwada region in Maharashtra state (western India). This work was mainly aimed at assessing the current genetic diversity to understand whether the two zebu populations in question are genetically differentiated. A total of 164 alleles were detected with an average of 5.82 and 5.86 alleles per locus (MNA) in Red Kandhari and Deoni breeds, respectively. The estimated mean observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity were 0.47 and 0.64 in Red Kandhari vs. 0.57 and 0.69 in Deoni cattle, respectively, demonstrating considerable level of genetic variation in both the populations. Mean estimates of F statistics were: F (FIT) = 0.315 +/- 0.035, f(FIS) = 0.231 +/- 0.031, theta(FST) = 0.110 +/- 0.022, with both the breeds exhibiting significant deficit of heterozygotes (FIS = 0.179 in Deoni; 0.278 in Red Kandhari). The multilocus FST values implied that 11.0% of the total genetic variation corresponds to breed and were statistically greater than zero for the two populations, suggesting population division. The evaluation of exact test also indicated that allele frequencies across all the loci differed significantly (P < 0.001) between two zebu breeds, further supporting population differentiation. Different genetic distance measures showed considerable levels of distances between the two cattle breeds (0.318 = Nei's standard DS; 0.250 = Nei's DA; 0.416 = Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards's Dc; 0.164 = Reynold's, and 2.64 = Delta mu square (dmicro)2. Bayesian statistical approach to assign each individual to the population also supported considerable differentiation between the two cattle breeds, possibly reflecting the limited gene flow between the two Marthwada cattle populations. The existence of cohesive breeding structure of both the breeds was further substantiated by allele-sharing distance measures (DAS) among individual animals. The results of this study thus revealed that the two Bos indicus breeds sharing the common breeding tracts are genetically differentiated enough as separate breeds.     

Genetic erosion in northern marginal population of the common wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff. and its conservation, revealed by the change of population genetic structure

In order to monitor genetic erosion within the northern marginal population of common wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff. from Dongxiang, Jiangxi Province, China, allozyme diversity encoded by 22 loci was analyzed electrophoretically from all the existing subpopulations in 1980, 1985 and 1994. The sample collected from the nine large subpopulations in 1980 showed the highest levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.27, P = 18.20%, Ho = 0.042 and He = 0.049) and a slight deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 0.143), the sample from five moderate ones in 1985 displayed medium levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.14, P = 13.60%, Ho = 0.008 and He = 0.049) and a great deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 0.837), and the sample from two small ones in 1994 demonstrated the lowest levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.09, P = 9.10%, Ho = 0.000 and He = 0.043) and the largest deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (F = 1.000). The results not only documented the genetic erosion stemmed from the extinction of the subpopulations, but also revealed the drastic change of the population genetic structure due to the reduction of the population. Finally, some conservation strategies for the population are proposed.     

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of a wild rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza rufipogon</Emphasis> Griff.) in China

Genetic diversity and population genetic structure of natural Oryza rufipogon populations in China were studied based on ten microsatellite loci. For a total of 237 individuals of 12 populations collected from four regions, a moderate to high level of genetic diversity was observed at population levels with the number of alleles per locus ( A) ranging from 2 to 18 (average 10.6), and polymorphic loci ( P) from 40.0% to 100% (average 83.3%). The observed heterozygosity ( H(O)) varied from 0.163 to 0.550 with the mean of 0.332, and the expected heterozygosity ( H(E)) from 0.164 to 0.648 with the mean of 0.413. The level of genetic diversity for Guangxi was the highest. These results are in good agreement with previous allozyme and RAPD studies. However, it was unexpected that high genetic differentiation among populations was found ( R(ST) = 0.5199, theta = 0.491), suggesting that about one-half of the genetic variation existed between the populations. Differentiation (pairwise theta) was positively correlated with geographical distance ( r = 0.464), as expected under the isolation by distance model. The habitat destruction and degradation throughout the geographic range of O. rufipogon may be the main factor attributed to high genetic differentiation among populations of O. rufipogon in China.     

Genetic diversity and structure in a natural Elymus caninus population from Denmark based on microsatellite and isozyme analyses

 Genetic diversity in a natural Elymus caninus population from Denmark was assessed using isozyme and microsatellite markers. A total of 119 individuals from 46 maternal plants were assayed. Microsatellite loci are shown to display higher levels of variation than isozyme loci. The mean number of alleles per locus was 1.04 for isozymes and 1.38 for microsatellites. The percentage of polymorphic loci for isozymes and microsatellites was 4.7% and 23.6% across the maternal plant, respectively. The genetic diversity at population level was 0.1 for isozymes, and 0.63 for microsatellites. The mean genetic diversity at maternal plant level was 0.027 for isozyme loci and 0.117 for microsatellite loci. The average of total allozyme diversity (H_T) was 0.22. The average of total microsatellite diversity was 0.56. Isozyme and microsatellite variation showed the same pattern of differentiation between maternal plants. More than 75% total genetic diversity was found among maternal plants. About 25% total genetic diversity was detected within maternal plants. Ten (22.7%) maternal plants produced heterozygous offspring at allozyme loci, and 30 (68.2%) maternal plants gave heterozygous offspring at microsatellite loci. Both types of markers revealed a relatively high genetic diversity in this population. Received November 7, 2000 Accepted February 15, 2001     

利用SSR分子标记分析秦岭冷杉自然居群的遗传多样性

利用10对SSR引物对濒危植物秦岭冷杉(Abies chensiensis)6个自然居群的120个个体进行了遗传多样性研究,旨在分析秦岭冷杉6个自然居群的遗传多样性、遗传结构及基因流变化.研究结果表明,120个个体在10个位点上共检测到149个等位基因,平均每个位点的等位基因数(A)为14.9,每个位点的有效等位基因数(e)为7.7,每个位点的平均预期杂合度(He)和平均观察杂合度(Ho)分别为0.841和0.243,Shannon多样性指数(Ⅰ)为2.13,自然居群杂合性基因多样度的比率(FsT)为6.7％,居群间的基因流(Nm)为3.45.利用Mantel检测到自然居群的遗传距离与地理距离间无显著相关性(r=0.490 6,P＞0.05).秦岭冷杉自然居群的遗传多样性水平较低,遗传变异主要存在于居群内部.结合研究数据、实地调查及相关资料,推测秦岭冷杉自然居群间基因流较原来增大可能是因为居群间发生了远交衰退.     

Comparative analysis of genetic variability of white sea cod (Gadus morhua marisalbi) at allozyme and microsatellite markers

Variability of cod spawning and feeding schools from Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, was examined at six allozyme and eight microsatellite loci. The degree of genetic differentiation at allozyme loci constituted θ = 0.36% [95% bootstrap interval 0.0458; 0.6743]. The differentiation estimates obtained using microsatellite markers were higher, θ = 1.33% [0.057; 3.11]. It was demonstrated that the level of genetic diversity in the White Sea cod was lower than that established for the Atlantic cod from Barents Sea using the same set of allozyme and microsatellite markers. The genetic data obtained support the opinion that the White Sea cod is a reproductively independent group formed as a result of the Holocene dispersal of Atlantic cod.     

桂东南地区普通野生稻遗传多样性研究

利用25个微卫星位点对广西壮族自治区贺州、崇左、防城港3市8个居群301份普通野生稻材料的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行研究,结果表明桂东南地区普通野生稻遗传多样性丰富,平均等位基因数A=10.2400,有效等位基因数Ae=5.0221,平均期望杂合度He=0.7641,实际观察杂合度Ho=0.4840.根据固定指数(F=0.5653)计算出的异交率(t=0.2777)表明,普通野生稻的繁育系统是典型的混合繁育系统.对其遗传结构分析表明,总的遗传变异中有34.59%存在于居群间(Fst=0.3459).进一步研究发现大多数居群偏离了Hardy-Weinberg平衡且杂合体不足(Fis=0.2680,Fit=0.4817).最后根据各居群的遗传变异特点和遗传多样性比较,建议居群QT、YJ和TJ需要优先保护.     

Microspatial genetic heterogeneity and gene flow in stray cats (Felis catus L.): a comparison of coat colour and microsatellite loci

We analysed levels of genetic differentiation between nine local urban colonies of stray cats using eight coat colour and nine microsatellite loci. Both types of markers revealed a strong differentiation between colonies (FST = 0.15 and 0.09 for coat colour and microsatellite loci, respectively). Three coat colour loci showed extreme levels of genetic differentiation comparatively to other loci and are strongly suspected to be under divergent selective pressures. Microsatellite loci showed significant heterozygote deficiency within colonies (FIS = 0.14), suggesting that coat colour loci are not appropriate to investigate genetic structure at a fine scale because coat colour allele frequencies are based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The reported pattern conformed to that predicted from the social structuring of cat colonies: aggressive exclusion of immigrants, inbreeding and very low dispersal rate.     

Interspecific genetic variability of the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus as revealed by allozyme gene analysis

Allozyme variation in natural populations of basidiomycetes fungus Pleurotus ostreatus (88 individuals) from three regions of central Russia was studied. The species was shown to have 92.86% of polymorphic allozyme loci and expected heterozygosity He = 0.49. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.5. The genetic differences among populations were supported by F-statistics (FST = 0.750). The low level of inbreeding (FIS = 0.018) suggests that the P. ostreatus populations are panmictic, and the main reproduction mode involves basidiospores dispersing at long distances. Using cluster analysis, geographically isolated populations and intersterile groups were differentiated within the complex P. ostreatus species.     

Genetic diversity in an endangered alpine plant, Eryngium alpinum L. (Apiaceae), inferred from amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Eryngium alpinum L. is an endangered species found across the European Alps. In order to obtain base-line data for the conservation of this species, we investigated levels of genetic diversity within and among 14 populations from the French Alps. We used the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique with three primer pairs and scored a total of 62 unambiguous, polymorphic markers in 327 individuals. Because AFLP markers are dominant, within-population genetic structure (e.g. FIS) could not be assessed. Analyses based either on the assumption of random-mating or on complete selfing lead to very similar results. Diversity levels within populations were relatively high (mean Nei's expected heterozygosity = 0.198; mean Shannon index = 0.283), and a positive correlation was detected between both genetic diversity measurements and population size (Spearman rank correlation: P = 0. 005 and P = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, FST values and exact tests of differentiation revealed high differentiation among populations (mean pairwise FST = 0.40), which appeared to be independent of geographical distance (nonsignificant Mantel test). Founder events during postglacial colonizations and/or bottlenecks are proposed to explain this high but random genetic differentiation. By contrast, we detected a pattern of isolation by distance within populations and valleys. Predominant local gene flow by pollen or seed is probably responsible for this pattern. Concerning the management of E. alpinum, the high genetic differentiation leads us to recommend the conservation of a maximum number of populations. This study demonstrates that AFLP markers enable a quick and reliable assessment of intraspecific genetic variability in conservation genetics.     

Temporal and spatial genetic structure in Vitellaria paradoxa (shea tree) in an agroforestry system in southern Mali

Ten microsatellite loci were used to investigate the impact of human activity on the spatial and temporal genetic structure of Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae), a parkland tree species in agroforestry systems in southern Mali. Two stands (forest and fallow) and three cohorts (adults, juveniles and natural regeneration) in each stand were studied to: (i) compare their levels of genetic diversity (gene diversity, HE; allelic richness, Rs; and inbreeding, FIS); (ii) assess their genetic differentiation (FST); and (iii) compare their levels of spatial genetic structuring. Gene diversity parameters did not vary substantially among stands or cohorts, and tests for bottleneck events were nonsignificant. The inbreeding coefficients were not significantly different from zero in most cases (FIS = -0.025 in forest and 0.045 in fallow), suggesting that the species is probably outbreeding. There was a weak decrease in F(IS) with age, suggesting inbreeding depression. Differentiation of stands within each cohort was weak (FST = 0.026, 0.0005, 0.010 for adults, juveniles and regeneration, respectively), suggesting extensive gene flow. Cohorts within each stand were little differentiated (FST = -0.001 and 0.001 in forest and fallow, respectively). The spatial genetic structure was more pronounced in fallow than in forest where adults showed no spatial structuring. In conclusion, despite the huge influence of human activity on the life cycle of Vitellaria paradoxa growing in parkland systems, the impact on the pattern of genetic variation at microsatellite loci appears rather limited, possibly due to the buffering effect of extensive gene flow between unmanaged and managed populations.     

用微卫星标记分析皱纹盘鲍群体的遗传变异

利用微卫星标记技术, 对皱纹盘鲍山东长岛和辽宁獐子岛的两个野生群体以及山东崆峒岛一个养殖群体的遗传变异进行了分析。对6个微卫星基因座的多态性进行了评估, 各基因座的多态信息含量(PIC)值均大于0.5, 适合对鲍群体遗传结构的分析。结果表明, 这6个基因座在3个皱纹盘鲍群体中共获得57个等位基因, 等位基因数(A)平均为9.50, 有效等位基因数(N_e)平均为5.8572, 平均杂合度观测值(H_o)和期望值(^H_e)分别为0.6925和0.7966; 两个野生群体的杂合度观测值(H_o)和期望值(H_e)均高于养殖群体。上述结果为保护和利用皱纹盘鲍的遗传多样性提供了依据。     

基于微卫星的中国红火蚁种群遗传结构的研究

[背景]自入侵中国之后,红火蚁已给农林业、健康卫生、生态环境等造成了危害。红火蚁在中国的入侵、扩散路径及方式等仍然是待解决的问题。[方法]利用微卫星分子标记,对来自国内14个地区和国外1个地区共15个红火蚁地理种群的遗传多样性水平及种群遗传结构进行了研究。[结果]应用7对微卫星引物共检测到28个等位基因,15个红火蚁种群在各微卫星位点的基因型频率均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。各种群的平均表观杂合度HO、预期杂合度HE、Shannon信息指数Ⅰ、基因多样性指数Nei＇s和多态位点百分率P分别为0.2848、0.2708、0.3174、0.2629和43.63%,研究结果表明这15个红火蚁种群具有比较丰富的遗传多样性。种群间平均分化系数FST为0.4258,说明有42.58%的变异来源于种群间,表明红火蚁各种群之间有较高程度的分化,且遗传分化可能是由地理隔离和基因流障碍（Nem=0.7442）共同引起。遗传距离D显示,河源种群与其他种群间的遗传距离均相对高于其他各种群间的遗传距离,表明河源种群与其他地理种群之间存在较大的遗传差异,可能是较为原始的类型。[结论与意义]短距离的种群主要通过自然扩散方式传播,地理距离与亲缘关系有一定的相关性;长距离的种群主要依靠人为传播,因此地理距离与遗传距离不成正比。对于长距离的入侵事件,监控与检疫是关键的预防措施。     

湖北野生春兰资源遗传多样性的ISSR分析

近年来,由于过度采挖和生境片断化,湖北野生春兰(Cymbidiumgoeringii)资源正面临着灭绝的危险。本文采用ISSR分子标记技术对湖北省内的11个春兰野生居群共325个个体的遗传多样性水平及居群遗传结构进行了研究。11个引物共检测到127个位点,其中112个为多态位点,占88.19%。POPGENE分析结果表明:与其他兰科植物相比,春兰具有丰富的遗传变异(在物种水平上,He=0.2628,Ho=0.4037;在居群水平上,PPL=63.06%,He=0.1945,Ho=0.2958)。Nei's遗传多样性分析和AMOVA分析表明,各居群间产生了一定程度的遗传分化(GST=0.2440,FST=0.2207)。居群间一定程度的遗传分化可能是由生境破坏和基因流障碍(Nm=0.8828)引起。UPGMA聚类分析可知,与其他居群相比,恩施地区的5个居群,即巴东(BD)、福宝山(FBS)、宣恩(XE)、毛坝(MB)、来凤(LF)优先聚成一支,而大悟(DW)居群单独聚为一支。同时本研究也表明,虽然春兰自交亲和,但在自然界中其繁育系统还是以异交为主。鉴于春兰资源的遗传多样性现状和其相应的居群遗传结构,我们建议在遗传多样性较高的来凤(LF)、京山(JS)、大悟(DW)居群设立保护点进行就地保护;而对资源破坏最为严重的毛坝(MB)和宣恩(XE)居群要实行迁地保护。     

葫芦苏铁遗传多样性的等位酶分析

采用等位酶技术,分析了葫芦苏铁5个居群的遗传多样性。分析6个酶系统,共获得了13个基因位点, 结果表明:葫芦苏铁具有较高水平的遗传变异性,多态位点百分率(P)为56．9％,等位基因平均数A=1.62,等 位基因多样性指数Ho=0.105,He=0．164,居群杂合体过量的位点为50％。居群遗传结构分析表明,大部分 遗传变异(93．6％)存在于居群内(FST=0．064),居群间分化程度甚微。根据葫芦苏铁的居群遗传结构式样并 结合相关研究,提出了就地保护所有居群,迁地保护从东一、王下和水田三个大居群取样的保护策略。     

Quantitative evaluation of gene variation and interpopulation differentiation of parthenogenetic species of Darevskia lizards based on mini- and microsatellite DNA markers

Methods of estimating within- and between-population gene diversity in parthenogenetic species using mini- and microsatellite DNA markers and modified Wright's FST statistic are presented with special reference to model populations of lizards of the genus Darevskia (D. dahli, D. armeniaca, D. unisexualis). We used DNA fingerprinting data for several populations of these species examined earlier. The effects of variation in M13, minisatellite, (GACA)n and (TCC)n microsatellite loci on the formation of within-population gene diversity in parthenogenetic species D. dahli and D. armeniaca were shown to be different. The equality of the realized gene diversity H and its maximum possible value Hmax in two populations of D. dahli (Hmax = 0.032, H = 0.031, P < < 0.0431; Hmax = 0.024, H = 0.027, P = 0.09) and D. armeniaca (Hmax = 0.05, H = 0.053, P = 0.03; Hmax = 0.054, H = 0.055, P = 0.02) suggests that variation in (GACA)n loci substantially contributes to the maintenance of within-population genetic diversity. Analysis of between-population genetic diversity using loci M13, (GACA)n, and (TCC)n showed differentiation of D. dahli populations from northeastern and northwestern Armenia (FST = 0.0272, P = 3 x 10(-13)) and genetic homogeneity of the Armenian and Introduced to the Ukraine populations of D. armeniaca characteristic of one clone (FST = 0, P = 1).