舟山群岛黄毛鼠种群的遗传多样性及多重父权研究

岛屿常被生态学家和进化生物学家视为研究生物进化的天然实验室。本研究利用微卫星分子标记技术,分析了舟山群岛优势鼠种——黄毛鼠(Rattus losea)刺山岛种群、六横岛种群、桃花岛种群3个种群的遗传多样性,并探讨该物种是否存在多重父权现象。研究结果表明,(1)黄毛鼠种群的平均观测等位基因数(NA)和平均有效等位基因数(Ne)分别为8.792和5.494,平均期望杂合度(He)和平均观测杂合度(Ho)分别为0.821和0.956,多态信息含量(PIC)均大于0.5,说明3个种群均具有较高的遗传多样性;(2)3个种群的平均遗传分化系数(Fst)为0.040,其中桃花岛种群与刺山岛种群的分化最大,分化系数为0.052,呈中度分化水平,不同种群间所贡献的变异百分数为3.98%,说明遗传变异主要发生在种群内,而种群间仅存在很小的遗传变异;(3)14只孕鼠中,有6只孕鼠的胚胎存在多重父权现象,占43%,最小父本值为2,其余8个孕鼠的胚胎均只有唯一父本。本研究提出黄毛鼠存在多重父权现象,为该物种繁殖策略及鼠害控制的研究提供依据。     

舟山群岛野生山茶种群遗传多样性的ISSR分析

采用ISSR分子标记,利用筛选的20条引物对舟山群岛4个野生山茶（Camellia japonica）种群的遗传多样性进行分析。结果表明：山茶种群的多态位点百分比（PPB）为64.06％,Nei’s基因多样性指数（HE）为0.2390,Shannon信息多态性指数（H）为0.3548,种群水平遗传多样性较高。基因分化系数Gst = 0.2241,表明种群间具有较高的遗传分化。地理距离与遗传距离具有显著相关性（r = 0.9653,P<0.05）,表明岛屿隔离对山茶种群的遗传分化具有重要影响。UPGMA聚类表明同岛种群间的亲缘关系更近。基于舟山群岛山茶种群遗传结构分析,建议在其自然生长地加强就地保护。     

岛屿特有种全缘冬青遗传多样性的ISSR分析

全缘冬青(Ilex integra)为岛屿特有植物,主要分布于浙江舟山群岛,被列为浙江省珍稀濒危植物。作者运用ISSR分子标记对舟山群岛的6个全缘冬青种群(5个自然种群和1个栽培种群)共57个个体进行了遗传多样性分析。采用9条随机引物扩增出78条清晰谱带,其中45条为多态性条带,多态位点百分比(PPL)为57.7%。经POPGENE软件分析,全缘冬青种群平均多态位点百分比(PPL)为42.1%,Nei’s基因多样度(HE)为0.153,较其他海岛植物的遗传多样性偏低。5个自然种群遗传分化系数Gst=0.316,AMOVA测度Fst=0.295,Shannon多样性分化系数S=0.304,遗传分化程度较高。全缘冬青种群间地理距离与遗传距离具有正相关性(r=0.649,P<0.05),岛屿间地理隔离对种群间遗传分化产生了较为显著的影响。UPGMA聚类分析显示,朱家尖岛与普陀岛种群亲缘关系较近,而舟山岛栽培种群是由桃花岛自然种群移植而来。针对全缘冬青种群遗传多样性较低及遗传分化程度较高的现状,应加强现有自然种群的就地保护,促进种群自然更新;建立种质资源库,收集不同岛屿的种源进行混合繁殖,促进基因交流。     

基于线粒体COI序列变异的高原鼢鼠种群遗传分化研究

基于线粒体COI基因序列对高原鼢鼠7个地理种群的遗传多样性、遗传分化和基因流进行分析,158条COI基因序列中发现了570个变异位点,界定了54个COI单倍型。总体单倍型多样性指数Hd为0.911,种群单倍型多样性在0.278—0.964之间,高原鼢鼠的种群遗传多样性较高。群体总的遗传分化系数Fst为0.611,群体间的基因流Nm在-0.020—3.700之间,部分地理种群之间的遗传分化程度高,基因流弱。AMOVA分子变异分析显示,高原鼢鼠的遗传变异主要来自种群之间(77.56%),种群内部的遗传变异较低(22.44%)。中性检验(P0.01)与错配分析显示高原鼢鼠种群经历了群体扩张事件。IBD未检测到地理距离与种群间遗传距离的显著性相关关系(R2=0.124,P=0.118)。综合分析认为,高原鼢鼠不同地理种群间遗传分化的原因除地理隔离外,还与迁移扩散方式、进化过程和其他环境因素有关。     

云南部分地区大绒鼠种群遗传多样性与遗传分化研究

大绒鼠Eothenomys miletus是云南省野鼠鼠疫疫源地的主要宿主动物之一。本研究对云南部分地区大绒鼠线粒体细胞色素b(cyt b)基因的部分序列进行分析,探讨云南不同地理种群大绒鼠的遗传多样性和遗传分化。共获得7个采样点140只大绒鼠的cyt b基因序列,共发现变异位点109个,定义51个单倍型,所有种群均为高单倍型多样性和低核苷酸多样性模式,整体平均单倍型多样性为0.977±0.004,核苷酸多样性为0.018 45±0.001 78。基于类平均法构建的分子系统发育树和基于中连法构建的单倍型网络关系图显示出相同的结果,大绒鼠种群分化为4个地域性分支。基因流数据显示多数地理种群间基因交流贫乏,分子变异分析表明,种群间的遗传差异(84.29%)明显高于种群内(15.71%),遗传分化显著。IBD分析表明,大绒鼠的遗传分化与地理距离呈正相关(r=0.699 7,P0.05),说明地理距离隔离是大绒鼠种群分化的重要原因之一。大绒鼠的这种遗传多样性与种群遗传分化,可能与其地下洞道生活、扩散能力弱、地理距离隔离等因素有关。本研究为大绒鼠的分子生态学研究提供了参考依据。     

中华稻蝗不同地理种群遗传多样性的AFLP分析

为研究中华稻蝗种群遗传多样性和遗传结构, 文章对我国7省市的7个中华稻蝗种群进行AFLP分析。选取7对引物扩增128个个体, 共产生336条带, 多态性条带292条, 占86.90%。结果表明: 中华稻蝗种群具有较高的遗传多样性水平, 其中海南万宁种群的遗传多样性高于其他各种群。Mantel检验(r=0.27, P=0.89)表明中华稻蝗各种群遗传距离与地理距离间没有显著相关性。种群间具有明显的遗传分化现象。UPGMA(Unweighted pair group method average)聚类分析显示, 7个中华稻蝗种群按地理距离分为3支: 北方北京昌平、山西太原和山东济宁为一支; 南方陕西汉中、湖南长沙和广西来宾为一支; 海南万宁单独为一支。上述结果以及PCA(Principal component analysis)分析均表明由于地理隔离中华稻蝗种群显示出明显的南北分化和岛屿大陆种群遗传分化现象。     

基于线粒体16S rRNA基因的舟山群岛碧蛾蜡蝉种群遗传多样性分析

【目的】揭示岛屿隔离效应对舟山群岛及邻近大陆碧蛾蜡蝉Geisha distinctissima种群遗传多样性的影响。【方法】依据本研究获取的舟山群岛(11个岛屿)及邻近大陆15个种群共247头碧蛾蜡蝉样本的16S rRNA基因序列,对该地区种群进行遗传多样性评估;采用贝叶斯推断法构建系统发育树并绘制单倍型网络图,以解析种群间的遗传结构;通过中性检验、错配分布分析和贝叶斯天空线(Bayesian skyline plot, BSP)分析,探讨该地区碧蛾蜡蝉的种群历史动态。【结果】贝叶斯系统树及单倍型网络图均没有解析出舟山群岛碧蛾蜡蝉种群明显的遗传结构。且分子方差分析发现,遗传变异主要集中在种群内部(种群内变异占68.26%),种群间没有明显的遗传分化,显示了该地区碧蛾蜡蝉种群遗传多样性的均质化。不同种群间的单倍型多态性和核苷酸多态性与大陆-岛屿距离及岛屿隔离时间不相关。中性检验分析检测到Tajima’s D和Fu’s Fs均呈显著的负值,且错配分布分析呈现出典型的单峰,表明该地区碧蛾蜡蝉种群发生了近期的种群扩张事件。BSP分析表明,这种扩张事件发生在大约0.5～3.5千年前。【结论】岛屿隔离效应可能不足以驱使舟山群岛及邻近大陆的碧蛾蜡蝉种群遗传多样性产生明显的差异。     

Study on population genetic diversity of Camellia japonica in 5 islands between China and Japan

运用ISSR分子标记法对中、日两国5个岛屿天然山茶种群共150个个体进行遗传多样性分析.结果表明:筛选出的20条引物扩增得到205条清晰条带,其中183条为多态性条带,多态位点百分比(PPB)为89.27％.经POPGENE软件分析,山茶种群平均多态位点百分比(PPB)为72.00％,Nei's基因多样性指数(HE)为0.2743,Shannon信息多态性指数(H)为0.4023,种群水平遗传多样性较高.基因分化系数Gst=0.2033,表明遗传变异主要存在于种群内个体间.Mantel检验(r=0.7989,P＜0.05)和UPGMA聚类表明岛屿地理隔离对山茶种群遗传分化具有重要影响.基于岛屿山茶种群遗传结构的分析,建议加强我国岛屿自然种群的就地保护力度.     

迁飞性昆虫甜菜夜蛾遗传分化研究

【目的】甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua逐渐成为世界性重要害虫,为明确甜菜夜蛾不同地理种群的遗传分化及遗传多样性,本研究探讨其在中国的种群遗传变异。【方法】测定了采自15个地理种群154个甜菜夜蛾的线粒体COⅠ基因的547 bp序列,利用DnaSP 5.0、Arlequin 3.5.1.2等软件对甜菜夜蛾不同种群间的遗传多样性、遗传分化及分子变异进行分析,并建立单倍型系统进化树。【结果】在所分析的154个COⅠ序列中,共检测出5个单倍型,其中H1为各种群所共享种群内遗传多样性较低(Hd=0.172±0.041,Pi=0.00077±0.0002),种群内遗传分化相对较大(FST=0.3182),基因流水平较高(Nm=1.071)。中性检验结果不显著(Tajima’s D=-1.278,P0.10,Fu’s Fs=-1.660,P0.10),说明中国地区甜菜夜蛾在较近的历史时期内没有出现种群扩张现象。分子变异分析(AMOVA)结果表明,甜菜夜蛾遗传变异主要来自种群内部(68.18%),而种群间未发生明显的遗传分化。根据各地理种群的单倍型建立的系统发育树表明,各单倍型散布在不同的地理种群中,无明显的地理分布格局。【结论】甜菜夜蛾不同种群的遗传距离与地理距离间无显著线性相关性,不同种群间的基因交流不受地理距离的影响。这些数据表明,除了遗传因素之外,不同因素的组合,例如地理距离、环境条件和生理行为,可能在甜菜夜蛾种群内和之间形成变异中起重要作用。     

中国南方茶棍蓟马地理种群遗传分化分析

【目的】基于mtDNA COI和COⅡ的联合序列,探讨中国南方茶棍蓟马Dendrothrips minowai地理种群的遗传多样性与遗传分化。【方法】利用MEGA 6.0, DnaSP 5.10和Arlequin 3.5.2.2等软件对中国南方茶棍蓟马8个地理种群遗传多样性、遗传分化、基因流、分子变异及地理距离与遗传距离的相关性进行分析,并推断群体演化历史。【结果】茶棍蓟马mtDNA COI和COⅡ序列均具有明显的AT偏好性,COI和COⅡ联合序列的长度为1 146 bp,共有22个单倍型。中国南方茶棍蓟马总群体遗传多样性较高,表现出高单倍型多样性(Hd=0.924)和低核苷酸多样性(π=0.00600)。8个地理种群总群体的遗传分化程度高(F_ST=0.84830),基因交流水平低(Nm=0.040),群体可能由于遗传漂变而发生明显分化。AMOVA分析显示,茶棍蓟马种群的遗传变异主要来自组间种群(F_CT=0.84922);Mantel检测显示地理距离与遗传距离存在显著的正相关(r=0.5029, P<0.01)。中性检验结果表明,除云南两个地理种群外的其他地理种群近期可能经历了种群扩张。【结论】中国南方茶棍蓟马地理种群遗传多样性较高,具有明显的遗传分化,基因交流较少;地理距离可能是影响茶棍蓟马地理种群遗传分化的主要因素之一。     

Population size and time since island isolation determine genetic diversity loss in insular frog populations

Understanding the factors that contribute to loss of genetic diversity in fragmented populations is crucial for conservation measurements. Land‐bridge archipelagoes offer ideal model systems for identifying the long‐term effects of these factors on genetic variations in wild populations. In this study, we used nine microsatellite markers to quantify genetic diversity and differentiation of 810 pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) from 24 islands of the Zhoushan Archipelago and three sites on nearby mainland China and estimated the effects of the island area, population size, time since island isolation, distance to the mainland and distance to the nearest larger island on reduced genetic diversity of insular populations. The mainland populations displayed higher genetic diversity than insular populations. Genetic differentiations and no obvious gene flow were detected among the frog populations on the islands. Hierarchical partitioning analysis showed that only time since island isolation (square‐root‐transformed) and population size (log‐transformed) significantly contributed to insular genetic diversity. These results suggest that decreased genetic diversity and genetic differentiations among insular populations may have been caused by random genetic drift following isolation by rising sea levels during the Holocene. The results provide strong evidence for a relationship between retained genetic diversity and population size and time since island isolation for pond frogs on the islands, consistent with the prediction of the neutral theory for finite populations. Our study highlights the importance of the size and estimated isolation time of populations in understanding the mechanisms of genetic diversity loss and differentiation in fragmented wild populations.     

Genetic and morphometric diversity in Wallacea: geographical patterning in the horse shoe bat, Rhinolophus affinis

Genetic and morphometric variation was examined in eleven island populations of the horse‐shoe bat, Rhinolophus affinis, at the easterly end of this widespread species’ range and encompassing the Australian–Oriental biogeographic interface. Allozyme variation revealed mean heterozygosity levels within islands of 0.047, which is near the mammalian average. However, heterozygosity tended to decline from west to east as populations approached the periphery of the species’ distribution, and was lowest in those islands that were separated by the greatest sea‐crossing from source populations. There is extensive between‐island genetic differentiation (mean F_ST = 0.40) and relationships between islands are associated with their arrangement in geographical space; genetic distance is correlated with geographical distance and the genetic arrangement of islands is associated with longitude. The arrangement of islands as indicated by variation in body and skull metrics is also associated with their geographical positions, and the metric and genetic measures are themselves associated. While other taxa in the region have shown genetic‐geographical concordances, R. affinis is the only one that displays concordant patterns in metrical features. These patterns in biological diversity are interpreted as arising from the sequential island population structure and clines in key biogeographic gradients.     

中国湛江市和哈尔滨市褐家鼠种群遗传结构及其年度变化特征

为探索褐家鼠Rattus norvegicus地理种群的遗传结构及其年度变化特点,本研究以广东省湛江市的褐家鼠指名亚种和黑龙江省哈尔滨市的褐家鼠东北亚种为主要研究对象,结合我国及世界其他褐家鼠种群的D-loop序列分析这2个褐家鼠地理种群间D-loop序列的遗传分化情况及系统进化关系,重点分析2008—2015年褐家鼠湛江种群和哈尔滨种群D-loop单倍型的年度频率变化特点。结果表明,褐家鼠湛江种群和哈尔滨种群共有32种不同的单倍型,其中有11种单倍型是2个种群共有的,有4种单倍型仅在湛江种群中出现,有17种单倍型仅在哈尔滨种群中出现。褐家鼠湛江种群D-loop区的核苷酸多态性为0.005,有27个变异位点,单倍型多态性为0.695,褐家鼠哈尔滨种群D-loop区的核苷酸多态性比湛江种群略高,为0.008,有35个变异位点,单倍型多态性为 0.793。褐家鼠湛江种群和哈尔滨种群没有经历过暴发性的扩增。褐家鼠湛江、哈尔滨和湖北3个地理种群的D-loop序列之间发生了明显的遗传分化,其中湛江种群和哈尔滨种群之间的分化程度最高,遗传分化系数F_st为0.245。褐家鼠湛江种群和哈尔滨种群的单倍型数目和主单倍型频率都发生明显波动,推测主要原因可能是由于灭鼠剂的大量使用或其他灭鼠活动导致种群出现瓶颈或更替的现象。     

GENETIC STRUCTURE OF NATURAL POPULATIONS IN THE RED ALGAE GELIDIUM CANARIENSE (GELIDIALES,RHODOPHYTA) INVESTIGATED BY RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA (RAPD) MARKERS1

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker variation was analyzed in female gametophytes in natural populations of Gelidium canariense (Grunow) Seoane‐Camba ex Haroun, Gil‐Rodríguez, Diaz de Castro et Prud'Homme van Reine from the Canary Islands to estimate the degree and distribution of genetic variability and differentiation. A total of 190 haploid individuals were analyzed with 60 polymorphic RAPDs bands which produced 190 distinct multilocus genotypes. A high level of polymorphism was detected in all populations analyzed. Within‐population gene diversity ranged from 0.156 to 0.264. The populations on the island of Gran Canaria showed higher genetic variation than the other populations analyzed. The partitioning of molecular variance by analysis of molecular variance showed that most genetic variation resides within populations (68.85%). These results suggest that sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of reproduction for G. canariense gametophytic populations, and the main determinant in reaching high levels of genetic diversity. The Neighbor‐Joining tree and FCA analysis displayed two subclusters that correspond to the populations from the western islands (Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera) and the eastern island (Gran Canaria). In addition, we have detected a significant relationship between F_ST/(1?F_ST) and geographical distance consistent with data on water circulation and age of islands. The results obtained agree with an isolation by distance model, with gene flow from eastern to the western islands, and a high level of genetic differentiation between populations (F_ST=0.311, P<0.001).     

Genetic variation and island biogreography: Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA variation in island populations of the Australian bush rat, Rattus fuscipes greyii

To understand the impact of various factors on the maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations, we need to focus on situations where at least some of these factors are removed or controlled. In this study, we used highly variable, presumably neutral, microsatellite and mtDNA markers to assess the nature of genetic variation in 14 island and two mainland populations of the Australian bush rat, where there is no migration between islands. Thus we are controlling for selection and gene flow. Both marker sets revealed low levels of diversity within the small island populations and extreme differentiation between populations. For six microsatellite loci, all of the small island populations had less genetic variation than the mainland populations; reduction in allelic diversity was more pronounced than loss of heterozygosity. Kangaroo Island, the large island population, had similar levels of diversity to the mainland populations. A 442 base pair (bp) section of the mtDNA control region was screened for variation by outgroup heteroduplex analysis/temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (OHA/TGGE). Only three of the 13 small island populations showed haplotypic diversity: Gambier (2), Waldegrave (2), and Eyere (3). The level of haplotypic diversity in the small island populations was similar to that on the mainland, most likely reflecting a recent population bottleneck on the mainland. In contrast, Kangaroo Island had 9 mtDNA haplotypes. The dominant factor influencing genetic diversity on the islands was island size. No correlation was detected between genetic diversity and the time since isolation or distance form the mainland. The combination of genetic drift within and complete isolation among the small island populations has resulted in rapid and extreme population divergence. Population pair-wise comparisons of allele frequency distributions showed significant differences for all populations for all loci (F _st = 0.11–0.84, R _st = 0.07–0.99). For the mtDNA control region, 92.6% of variation was apportioned between populations; only the Pearson islands shared a haplotype. Mantel tests of pair-wise genetic distance with pair-wise geographic distance showed no significant geographical clustering of haplotypes. However, population substructuring was detected within populations where sampling was conducted over a broader geographical range, as indicated by departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Thus substructuring in the ancestral population cannot be ruled out. The dominant evolutionary forces on the islands, after the initial founder event, are stochastic population processes such as genetic drift and mutation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Allozyme diversity in the federally threatened golden paintbrush, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castilleja levisecta</Emphasis> (Scrophulariaceae)

Castilleja levisecta (Scrophulariaceae), the golden paintbrush, is an insect-pollinated herbaceaous perennial found in the Pacific Northwest. Currently restricted to two island populations off British Columbia and nine populations (eight on islands) in Washington, C. levisecta is a rare species threatened with extinction. Allozymes were used to describe genetic diversity and structure in these eleven populations. Despite its threatened status and small geographic range, exceptionally high levels of genetic diversity are maintained within C. levisecta. All sixteen of the loci resolved were polymorphic within the species (P_s=100%), while the mean percentage of loci polymorphic within populations (P_p) was 65.7%. The mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus (AP_s) was 2.94 within the species and averaged 2.38 within populations (AP_p). Genetic diversity (H_es) was 0.285 for the species, whereas mean population genetic diversity (H_ep) was 0.213. Smaller populations had, on average, fewer observed alleles and less genetic diversity. A significant negative correlation (r = –0.72) was found between genetic identity and geographic distance, indicating reduced gene flow between distant populations. The most geographically isolated population was one of the larger populations, one of the most genetically diverse and the most genetically divergent. A wide range of pairwise population genetic identities (I = 0.771 – 0.992) was found, indicating considerable genetic divergence between some populations. Overall, 19% of the total genetic diversity was distributed among populations. Results of this survey indicate that genetic augmentation of existing populations is unnecessary. The high allelic diversity found for the species and within its populations holds promise for conservation and restoration efforts to save this rare and threatened plant species.     

中国东部沿海水仙归化群体的遗传多样性

为揭示我国东部归化水仙(Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis)的群体遗传多样性,利用2个叶绿体基因mat K和trn H-psb A片段对采自沪、浙、闽的5个代表群体的49株水仙进行了评估。结果表明,双基因联合序列的总长为1443bp,共定义6个单倍型,各归化群体的遗传多样性水平为DLSYPTDNJD=ZZCMD。AMOVA分析表明,群体内变异为遗传变异的主要来源(91.98%),群体间的遗传分化较低(Fst=0.080 22)。群体物种水平上的谱系结构不显著(Nst=0.020Gst=0.031;P0.05)。Mantel检验表明水仙群体间的遗传距离与地理距离呈显著的线性相关(r=0.929,P=0.02 0.05)。中性检验和错配分布分析结果均暗示水仙群体背离了快速扩张模型的假设。单倍型分布的中介网络图结合系统发育NJ树均将所有群体划分为2大分支。因此,我国东部沿海水仙归化群体整体遗传多样性水平较低,各群体间遗传分化较弱,遗传变异主要来自群体内,物种近期未经历扩张事件,可能是基因流受海岛隔离、自身生物学特征、生境异质性与及人为干扰的综合作用影响。     

Isozyme differentiation in the endemic genusArgyranthemum (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) in the Macaronesian Islands

The genusArgyranthemum (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) comprises 38 taxa and is restricted to the archipelagos of the Canaries, Selvagens, Madeira, and Desertas in the Macaronesian biogeographic region. An electrophoretic study, including 17 enzyme loci and at least one population of each of the described taxa, was carried out. High identity (low distance) values between taxa (mean of 0.893) were obtained despite the old age of the islands, their close proximity to the African continent, and the fact thatArgyranthemum is the most species-rich and variable genus in Macaronesia. These results suggest that the genus is monophyletic and that it has evolved very rapidly in these islands. There is little correspondence between taxonomy and neighbor-joining analysis based on Roger's genetic distances, but in several instances populations from the same islands cluster together despite being from different species or even different sections. It is suggested that repeated genetic bottlenecks associated with the founding of new populations during radiation of the genus resulted in lineage sorting of ancestral allozyme polymorphisms. Because every population has a high average identity with all other populations, lineage sorting could result in populations of different taxa being slightly more similar than populations of the same taxon. Gene flow between different species on the same island could account for some populations clustering by island of origin rather than taxonomic disposition. Average allozyme diversity within populations (0.098) is 50% higher than the mean total diversity for species endemic to oceanic islands.     

A Study of Conservation Genetics in Cupressus chengiana,an Endangered Endemic of China,Using ISSR Markers

ISSR markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic structure of eight natural populations of Cupressus chengiana in China. ISSR analysis using 10 primers was carried out on 92 different samples. At the species level, 136 polymorphic loci were detected. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 99%. Genetic diversity (H _e) was 0.3120, effective number of alleles (A _e) was 1.5236, and Shannon’s information index (I) was 0.4740. At the population level, PPB = 48%, A _e=1.2774, H _e=0.1631, and I=0.2452. Genetic differentiation (G _st) detected by Nei’s genetic diversity analysis suggested 48% occurred among populations. The partitioning of molecular variance by AMOVA analysis indicated significant genetic differentiation within populations (54%) and among populations (46%; P < 0.0003). The average number of individuals exchanged between populations per generation (N _m ) was 0.5436. Samples from the same population clustered in the same population-specific cluster, and two groups of Sichuan and Gansu populations were distinguishable. A significantly positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance was detected (r=0.6701). Human impacts were considered one of the main factors to cause the rarity of C. chengiana, and conservation strategies are suggested based on the genetic characters and field investigation, e.g., protection of wild populations, reestablishment of germplasm bank, and reintroduction of more genetic diversity.     

Genetic structure of refugial populations of the temperate plant Shortia rotundifolia (Diapensiaceae) on a subtropical island

Continental island systems harbour relict biota and populations that might have migrated during glacial periods due to the formation of landbridges. Here we analysed the genetic structure of relict populations of the temperate plant Shortia rotundifolia on the subtropical island of Iriomotejima, Japan. This plant, which inhabits riparian environments, is designated “near threatened”. Only five extant populations have been found on the island. Our analyses of 10 nuclear microsatellite loci detected genetic diversity of H _E = 0.488 and H _O = 0.358 for all populations of S. rotundifolia on the island. A high inbreeding coefficient for all populations together (F _IS = 0.316) and each population separately (F _IS = 0.258–0.497) might be attributable to crossing among closely related descendants within a population, an idea that is supported by the relatedness coefficient. These results and an examination of the populations’ demographic histories suggest that the extant populations on Iriomotejima have not experienced a recent population bottleneck. The five extant populations were genetically differentiated (F _ST = 0.283; P < 0.001), suggesting low seed dispersal by gravity and/or low pollen flow via pollinators in the riparian environment. In addition, population differentiation was not related to genetic distance, implying that at one time, ancestral populations might have been distributed over a wider area of the island. However, population fragmentation and range contraction might have occurred at random during the postglacial period.