基于mtDNA D-loop部分序列的软刺裸裂尻鱼遗传多样性分析

软刺裸裂尻鱼Schizopygopsis malacanthus是青藏高原特有鱼类。本研究测定了青海省玉树藏族自治州3个软刺裸裂尻鱼野生群体（隆宝滩国家级自然保护区、巴塘河上游、巴塘河下游）共72尾的mtDNA D-loop的部分序列（610 bp）,分析了其遗传多样性和种群遗传结构,旨在为玉树软刺裸裂尻鱼野生资源保护和合理开发提供理论依据。共发现29个多态位点,定义了16个单倍型。3个种群的单倍型多样性为0.438±0.121～0.676±0.076,核苷酸多样性为0.003 4±0.000 5～0.008 6±0.001 3。群体遗传分化指数统计检验表明,两两群体之间的差异均极显著。基因流分析结果表明,巴塘河上、下游种群之间的基因流水平较高,个体交流频繁。AMOVA分析结果显示,79.49%的遗传变异来自于种群间,20.51%的遗传变异来自于种群内,群体间遗传分化极显著。系统发育树和单倍型进化网络结果显示,3个种群的单倍型按照隆宝滩国家级自然保护区和巴塘河水系形成2大类群。中性检验结果表明,软刺裸裂尻鱼近期未出现显著的种群扩张事件。建议将分布在隆宝滩国家级自然保护区和巴塘河水系的软...     

黄河裸裂尻鱼群体遗传结构和Cyt b序列变异

测定了来自黄河上游和柴达木盆地托索湖的裸裂尻鱼共16个个体的Cytb基因全序列(1141bp),探讨了种群结构和遗传多样性。用MEGA2.1软件分析了碱基组成和序列变异;以青海湖裸鲤、花斑裸鲤和极边扁咽齿鱼为外类群,用PAUP*4.0b10程序构建了单倍型NJ树;用Arlequin Ver.2000程序计算了群体间遗传变异值(Fst)和Nm值以及群体分化概率值。结果显示,来自柴达木水系托索湖的裸裂尻鱼没有形成单系群,Fst=0.204(P0.05),Nm=1.95。初步判断,黄河和柴达木水系托索湖的裸裂尻鱼未显著分化,支持将柴达木裸裂尻鱼(Schizopygopsis kessleri)归并入黄河裸裂尻鱼(Schizopygopsis pylzovi)的形态学结果。两种群核苷酸多样度()分别为0.0012和0.0026,表现为较低水平。根据校正的分子钟推测,黄河和托索湖裸裂尻鱼群体分歧时间为距今7万年左右的更新世末期,结合地理分布的资料和古地质事件,对黄河裸裂尻鱼群体分布水系间的历史联系进行了分析。       

基于cyt b基因的假眼小绿叶蝉11个地理种群遗传分化研究

应用特异性引物扩增假眼小绿叶蝉（Empoasca vitis G?the）56个不同地理种群Cytb基因片段,探讨了11个地理种群间的遗传多样性、分子变异、遗传分化程度及基因流水平,测序结果表明56条序列存在236个变异位点,45个单倍型。分析得出：（1）11个地理种群群体单倍型多样度 Hd 为0.978 79,群体的Hd范围为0.933 3~1.000 0,总群体和各种群的中性检验结果均不显著,其进化模型为中性模型。（2）总群体遗传分化系数 Gst 与固定系数 Fst 分别为0.017 03与0.165 47。种群间基因流Nm为1.26,较频繁基因交流减小了遗传差异,不存在明显的地理分化效应。     

基于线粒体COI基因序列的黄胫小车蝗不同地理种群的遗传分化及基因流分析

黄胫小车蝗Oedaleus infernalis Saussure是一种在我国分布广泛、 对农牧业生产危害严重的经济害虫。本文对黄胫小车蝗10个地理种群的线粒体COI基因序列进行测序和分析, 利用DnaSP 5.0和Arlequin 3.5.1.2软件对该蝗虫种群间的遗传多样性、 遗传分化程度、 基因流水平及分子变异进行了分析, 建立了单倍型贝叶斯系统发育进化树和单倍型网络图。结果表明： 在所分析的144个序列样本中, 共检测到21种单倍型, 其中1种单倍型为10个地理种群所共享。总群体的单倍型多样性指数为0.653, 各地理种群单倍型多样度范围在0.423~0.790之间。总群体和各种群的Tajima’s D检验结果皆不显著, 说明该种害虫在较近的历史上未经历群体扩张。总群体的遗传分化系数Gst为0.04436, 固定系数Fst为0.05255, 基因流Nm为9.01。AMOVA分子方差分析结果表明, 黄胫小车蝗的遗传分化主要来自种群内部, 种群间的遗传变异水平较低。各地理种群的遗传距离的大小与其地理距离间没有显著的相关性。贝叶斯系统发育进化树与单倍型网络图显示, 黄胫小车蝗各地理种群中的单倍型散布在不同的分布群中, 分布格局较为混杂, 未形成明显的系统地理结构。研究结果揭示, 黄胫小车蝗各种群间的基因交流并未受到地理距离的影响。     

利用Cyt b基因序列探讨柴达木裸裂尻鱼的分类学地位

长期以来,柴达木裸裂尻鱼(Schizopygopsis kessleri)的分类学地位存在争议。为此,测定了柴达木裸裂尻鱼格尔木河及托素湖种群24个个体及黄河裸裂尻鱼(S.pylzovi)黄河及大通北川河种群12个个体的Cytb基因全序列。通过遗传距离和系统发育分析,探讨了柴达木裸裂尻鱼的分类学地位。结果显示,柴达木裸裂尻鱼与黄河裸裂尻鱼在系统进化树上并未形成相应的单系群;柴达木裸裂尻鱼与黄河裸裂尻鱼种间平均遗传距离为0.54%,明显低于裂腹鱼亚科其他属鱼类的种间遗传距离及本属其他种间遗传距离,表明来自柴达木盆地格尔木河和托素湖的裸裂尻鱼与黄河裸裂尻鱼之间没有达到种级水平的显著分化。综合地质学资料和柴达木水系与黄河水系现今的隔离格局,建议将柴达木裸裂尻鱼作为黄河裸裂尻鱼的一个亚种,即S.pylzovi kessleri。     

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。     

基于线粒体COI基因序列的大豆食心虫中国东北地理种群遗传多样性分析

【目的】大豆食心虫Leguminivora glycinivorella (Matsumura)是一种危害大豆的主要害虫,在中国北方地区危害较重。本研究旨在探讨大豆食心虫在中国东北不同地理种群间的遗传变异。【方法】测定了10个不同地理种群153个个体的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ (mtCOI)基因的657 bp序列,利用DnaSP 5. 0和Arlequin 3. 5. 1. 2等软件对大豆食心虫种群间的遗传多样性、基因流水平和分子变异进行分析。【结果】结果表明：10个地理种群间的COI基因共有36个变异位点和17个单倍型,其中1个单倍型为10个种群所共享。总种群的单倍型多样性指数Hd为0.456,各地理种群单倍型多样度范围在0~0.634之间。总群体的固定系数Fst为0.12545,遗传分化系数Gst为0.06326,总基因流Nm为3.49,且各种群间的基因流均大于1,种群间基因交流的水平较高。【结论】大豆食心虫种群内遗传多样性水平处于中低等水平。总群体和各种群的Tajima’s D检验结果皆不显著,说明中国东北地区大豆食心虫在较近的历史时期内没有出现种群扩张现象。AMOVA分子变异分析结果表明,大豆食心虫的遗传分化主要来自种群内部,而种群间未发生明显的遗传分化。各地理种群的单倍型在系统发育树上和中介网络图上散布在不同的分布群中,缺乏明显的地理分布格局。各种群的遗传距离与地理距离之间没有显著线性相关性,种群间的基因交流并未受到地理距离的影响。     

周公河齐口裂腹鱼种群的遗传多样性和遗传结构

为探讨周公河中齐口裂腹鱼(Schizothorax prenanti)的遗传多样性和遗传结构, 沿周公河连续设定6个采样点进行齐口裂腹鱼采集, 在进行基因组DNA提取后以线粒体控制区(D-loop)为分子标记进行种群遗传多样性和遗传结构的评估。结果从63尾齐口裂腹鱼中共检测到32个单倍型, 核苷酸多样性(π)为0.013, 单倍型多样性(h)为0.966。遗传多样性最高的为张家湾种群(PopF, π=0.018, h=1.000), 核苷酸多样性最低的为罗坝种群(PopC, π=0.010, h=0.970), 单倍型多样性最低的为瓦屋山大坝下游种群(PopB, π=0.015, h=0.867)。种群间共享13个单倍型, 多数齐口裂腹鱼种群间的遗传分化水平中等或较低, 仅Pop C和Pop F (F_st=0.195, P<0.01), 种群Pop A 和PopE (F_st=0.158, P<0.01)分化程度较高, 显示各种群间较密切的遗传关系。周公河不同河段齐口裂腹鱼群体的遗传多样性处于较高的水平, 各种群间具有较近的遗传关系。     

黄河裸裂尻鱼五种群mtDNA控制区的遗传结构

黄河裸裂尻鱼（Schizopygopsis pylzovi）主要分布于青藏高原东北部兰州以上黄河干支流水系和高原北部柴达木内流水系,由于其对高原特殊生境表现出独特的适应性而受研究者关注。本文采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）和直接测序的方法获得了一个分布于柴达木内流水系种群和四个黄河支流种群共99条个体的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）控制区（D-100p）821bp核苷酸的序列,探讨了其种群遗传结构和分化。99条个体的序列经比对后,发现77个（9．37％）多态性位点,共定义了53个单倍型,其中有一个单倍型（DT12）为两个种群（大通种群和互助种群）所共享,其余52个单倍型均为某个种群所特有。遗传多样性分析表明,柴达木种群的单倍型多样度（h=0．79&#177;0．06）和核苷酸多样度（π=0．0027&#177;0．0017）均略低于黄河支流各种群。AMOVA分析结果显示,遗传差异主要发生在种群之内,占75．39％,而小同水系的种群间只有24．61％,各种群间成对的Fst及遗传距离均表明种群间出现了一定程度的种群分化,但系统进化树最示出一种混杂的单倍型分布格局,提示青藏高原东北部地质事件所造成的水系间的隔离形成较晚。单倍型歧点分布呈现为单峰以及中性检验Tajima的D（-1．497,P=0．058）和Fu的Fs（-24．741,P=0．001）结果综合表明,黄河裸裂尻鱼在青藏高原隆升过程中曾经历过近期的种群扩张事件[动物学报54（6）：972—980,2008]。     

中国甜菜夜蛾地理种群的遗传分化与基因流

【目的】为了明确我国甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua地理种群间的遗传分化及基因流,阐明该种害虫在我国的种群历史动态。【方法】本研究对采自我国20个地理种群的529头甜菜夜蛾样品进行线粒体COI基因序列测定与分析,利用DnaSP 5.0和Arlequin 3.11软件分析种群间遗传多样性、遗传分化、基因流水平及分子变异,构建了单倍型系统发育树与单倍型网络图。【结果】在所分析的所有529个序列样本中,共检测出10个单倍型,其中Hap_1为所有种群所共享。总群体遗传多样性较低（Hd=0.257±0.025,Pi=0.0007±0.0001,Kxy=0.323）,群体间遗传分化较小（F_ST=0.211）,基因流水平较高（N_m=1.870）。AMOVA分析表明,甜菜夜蛾遗传变异主要来自种群内,种群间变异水平较低。各种群间遗传分化程度与地理距离无显著相关性（R²=0.005,P>0.05）。各单倍型相互散布在不同种群中,未形成明显系统地理结构。中性检验（Tajima’s D=-2.177, P<0.05; Fu’s F_S=-8.629, P<0.05)与错配分布分析表明,我国甜菜夜蛾种群曾经历种群近期扩张。【结论】研究结果揭示,甜菜夜蛾各种群间的基因交流并未受到地理距离的影响,验证了甜菜夜蛾具有高度的迁飞能力。     

Mitochondrial DNA diversity of Coilia mystus (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) in three Chinese estuaries

We used sequences of mitochondrial cytb and 16SrRNA gene segments in order to clarify the genetic diversity and population structure in three Chinese estuary populations of Coilia mystus: 21 individuals from ChangJiang River (Yangtze River) estuary, 22 from MinJiang River estuary, and 22 from ZhuJiang River (Pearl River) estuary (65 individuals total). We obtained 607 base pairs of consensus cytb sequence. Thirty four distinct haplotypes were detected among the 65 cytb sequences. The indexes of nucleotide diversity (π) in these three populations were ChangJiang 0.533%, MinJiang 1.135%, and ZhuJiang 0.268%. MinJiang is the largest of the three populations. Genetic distances within the populations were between 0.3 and 1.2%, and 0.8 to 10.8% among populations. The largest genetic distance was 10.8% between the ChangJiang and ZhuJiang populations, and the smallest was 0.8% between MinJiang and ZhuJiang populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) analysis revealed that variation among populations accounts for 90.25% of total variation, suggesting that this is the main source of total variance. We obtained 470 base pairs of consensus sequence of 16SrRNA. We detected 19 distinct haplotypes among the 65 sequences. The indexes of nucleotide diversity (π) in these three populations were ChangJiang 0.108%, MinJiang 0.843%, and ZhuJiang 0.097%. MinJiang is also the largest among these three populations. Genetic distances were between 0.1 and 0.9% within populations and 0.5 to 1.9% between populations. The largest genetic distance was the 1.9% between the ChangJiang and MinJiang populations, and the smallest was 0.5% between the MinJiang and the ZhuJiang populations. AMOVA analysis disclosed that variation among populations accounts for 74.61% of total variation, suggesting that this is the main source of total variation. The results of this study suggest that the three Coilia mystus populations, especially the most isolated Changjiang population, have developed significant genetic structure.     

淮河水系日本沼虾群体遗传结构和系统演化的线粒体COI序列分析

测定了淮河水系17个日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponense)野生群体共248个个体的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基I(COI)部分序列,获得623 bp核苷酸片段,包括48个变异位点,定义了31个单倍型,共享单倍型有12个,整体单倍型多样性和平均核苷酸多样性均处于中间水平。AMOVA分析表明,17个群体间的遗传分化系数Fst=0.041 3(P0.05),群体间遗传分化较小。Kimura 2-paramter遗传距离在五河与焦岗湖、花家湖及瓦埠湖群体间最大,为0.014,在高邮和邵伯湖群体之间最小,为0.003。MP系统树与单倍型进化网络关系图具有较高的一致性,31个单倍型被分为3个进化枝,其中一个进化枝主要以下游群体为主,另外2个进化枝主要以中游群体为主。群体中性检验、错配分析表明,淮河日本沼虾近期曾经历过种群扩张。     

Analysis of genetic diversity in Glyptosternum maculatum (Sisoridae, Siluriformes) populations with AFLP markers

We determined the genetic diversity of geographic populations from three spawning grounds (Nyang River, Lhasa River, Shetongmon Reach of Yarlung Zangbo River) of Glyptosternum maculatum with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Five primer combinations detected 332 products, 51 of them (15.4%) were polymorphic in at least one population. The Shetongmon population was found to be the richest in genetic diversity as was indicated by the percentage of polymorphic loci and heterozygosity, followed by the Nyang population and the Lhasa population. The pair-wise genetic distance between populations were all very close, ranging from 0.0015 to 0.0042 with an average of 0.0024. The genetic distance was not proportional to the geographic distance. The analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that all variation occurred within populations. The average estimated fixation index (F _st) of three populations across all polymorphic loci was −0.0184, indicating the absence of genetic differences among the three sampled populations. The differentiation among populations was not significant, and population structure was weak. Our observations will help identify the genetic relationship among populations as the first approach to understand the genetic diversity of Glyptosternum maculatum.     

岛屿生境下黄毛鼠种群的遗传变异

岛屿具有独特的生态系统,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,岛屿生物地理学也受到了越来越多科学家的关注。对舟山群岛8个面积不等岛屿的黄毛鼠(Rattus losea)种群进行了调查,分析了8个种群的遗传变异特征,对探讨岛屿理论中的种群动态和种群分化具有重要意义。采用线粒体分子标记技术,利用PCR扩增得到D-loop区基因序列815 bp,在330个黄毛鼠样本中共识别出15个单倍型,平均核苷酸多样性(P_i)为0.001,平均单倍型多样性(H_d)为0.364,表明舟山群岛黄毛鼠种群的遗传多样性较低。Tajima′s D中性检验显示除了小盘峙种群,均为显著负值(P0.01),表明种群受到了自然选择的作用,历史上发生过种群扩张。AMOVE显示,群体间的遗传分化指数平均值为0.745,处于较高的分化水平,表明遗传变异主要来自种群间,占74.5%。基于线粒体D-loop区序列构建的系统发育树和中值网络都表明8个岛屿的黄毛鼠种群起源于两个母系。此外,Mental检验显示不同岛屿种群间的遗传距离与岛屿间地理距离之间存在显著正相关关系(r=0.6077,P=0.004),种群遗传多样性与岛屿面积并未发现显著相关性(r=0.6255,P=0.1840)。研究结果可为岛屿黄毛鼠种群的微观演化以及一些岛屿物种的进化理论提供参考。     

Remarkable genetic divergence of Gymnodiptychus dybowskii between south and north of Tianshan Mountain in northwest China

Gymnodiptychus dybowskii is endemic to Xinjiang, China and has been locally listed as protected animals. To investigate its genetic diversity and structure, specimens were collected from six localities in Yili River system and Kaidu River. Fragments of 1092bp Cyt b gene were sequenced for 116 individuals. A total of 21 haplotypes were found in all samples, and no haplotype was shared between Yili River system and Kaidu River population. Sequence comparisons revealed 123 variable sites, with eight singleton sites and 115 parsimony informative sites. For all the populations examined, the haplotype diversity (h) was 0.8298 ± 0.0226, nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.2521 ± 0.1202, and average number of pairwise nucleotide differences (k) was 275.3369 ± 118.5660. AMOVA analysis showed that the differences were significant for total populations except for Yili River system populations. The pairwise F_st values revealed same conclusion with AMOVA analysis: Kaidu River population was divergent from Yili River system populations. The genetic distance between two groups was 0.108 and the divergence time was estimated at 5.4–6.6 Ma, the uplift of Tianshan Mountain might have separated them and resulted in the genetic differentiation. The neutrality test and mismatch analysis indicated that both two groups of G. dybowskii had went through population expansion, the expansion time of Yili River system and Kaidu River population was estimated at 0.5859–0.7146 Ma and 0.5151–0.6282 Ma, respectively. The climate changes of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau might have influenced the demographic history of G. dybowskii.     

福建泰宁野生铁皮石斛种群的ISSR亲缘关系分析

为了解铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)种质间的亲缘关系,利用ISSR技术对34份铁皮石斛种质资源进行亲缘关系和遗传多样性分析。结果表明,9条ISSR引物在34份种质中共扩增出78条带,多态位点百分率达100%。UPGMA聚类分析表明,种质的相似系数为0.61~0.92,在相似系数0.626处,福建省泰宁的野生铁皮石斛与栽培铁皮石斛分为两大类。泰宁野生铁皮石斛种群的Nei’s基因多样性(H)和遗传分化系数(Gst)分别为0.3111和0.4609,均高于栽培种群(0.3056和0.4204),表明泰宁野生铁皮石斛具有较丰富的多样性和较高的种群分化系数。AMOVA分析表明,铁皮石斛种群内变异指数为74%,种群间变异指数为26%,表明不同种群间可能存在基因交流。这些为不同地域的野生铁皮石斛资源的有效保护及利用提供理论依据及技术参考。     

铜鱼线粒体控制区的序列变异和遗传多样性

采用PCR和DNA测序技术研究长江中上游野生铜鱼的遗传多样性和群体遗传学特征,从9个采样点共获得100尾铜鱼,用于分析的线粒体DNA控制区的片段序列为946bp。在100个序列中,共检测出变异位点47个(其中增添/缺失位点8个),单倍型41种。9个地理群体的平均单倍型多样性(Hd)和平均核苷酸多样性(Pi)分别为0.9257±0.0162和0.004178±0.002337,表现出较贫乏的遗传多样性。群体间的分化指数(FST值)、平均基因流(Nm)、分子方差分析(AMOVA)和平均K2-P遗传距离均表明9个铜鱼地理群体间存在广泛的基因交流,未明显发生群体遗传分化。另外,共享单倍型比例较高,约为34%(14/41)。单倍型的UPGMA分子系统树和简约网络图显示单倍型的聚类与地理分群没有相关性。上述结果表明9个铜鱼地理群体属于同一种群。       

Genetic diversity in the mtDNA control region and population structure in the small yellow croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larimichthys polyactis</Emphasis>

The genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) were investigated. One hundred and fourteen individuals were sampled from 8 localities of the Yellow Sea and the northern East China Sea. Genetic variation in DNA sequences were examined from the first hypervariable region (HVR-1) of the mitochondrial DNA control region. High levels of haplotype diversity (h = 0.98 ± 0.87%) in the HVR-1 region were detected, indicating a high level of genetic diverstiy. A total of 84 polymorphic sites were found, and 87 haplotypes were defined. The pairwise nucleotide differences between samples ranged from 3.83 ± 2.19 to 6.56 ± 3.25. The demographic history of L. polyactis was examined by using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis, which indicated a Pleistocene population expansion at about 49,300–197,000 years. The star burst structure of the minimum spanning tree also suggestted a very recent origin for most haplotypes. Hierarchical molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) and conventional population Fst comparisons revealed no significant genetic structure throughout the examined range, which is inconsistent with previous findings based on the morphological and ecological studies. Long-term dispersal and high gene flow likely have contributed to the genetically homogeneous population structure of the species. The knowledge on genetic diversity and genetic structure will be crucial to establish appropriate fishery management stocks for the species.     

Evaluation of a remnant lake sturgeon population’s utility as a source for reintroductions in the Ohio River system

The selection of an appropriate source population may be crucial to the long-term success of reintroduction programs. Appropriate source populations often are those that originate from the same genetic lineage as native populations. However, source populations also should exhibit high levels of genetic diversity to maximize their capacity to adapt to variable environmental conditions. Finally, it is preferable if source populations are genetically representative of historical lineages with little or no contamination from non-native or domesticated stocks. Here, we use nuclear (microsatellite) and cytoplasmic (mitochondrial control region) markers to assess the genetic suitability of a potential source population inhabiting the White River in Indiana: the last extant lake sturgeon population in the Ohio River drainage. The White River population exhibited slightly lower levels of genetic diversity than other lake sturgeon populations. However, the population’s two private microsatellite alleles and three private haplotypes suggest a unique evolutionary trajectory. Population assignment tests revealed only two putative migrants in the White River, indicating the population has almost completely maintained its genetic integrity. Additionally, pairwise F _ST estimates indicated significant levels of genetic divergence between the White River and seven additional lake sturgeon populations, suggesting its genetic distinctiveness. These data indicate that the White River population may be the most suitable source population for future lake sturgeon reintroductions throughout the Ohio River drainage. Furthermore, the White River population appears to be a reservoir of unique genetic information and reintroduction may be a necessary strategy to ensure the persistence of this important genetic lineage.     

Genetic analysis of the threatened American hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum [Fernald] Kartesz and Gandhi): Insights into its mating system and implications for conservation

American hart's-tongue fern (AHTF) is one of the rarest ferns in the United States and concern over its conservation and management has highlighted the need for genetic analysis. Genetic analysis also provides insights into the species' mating system which contributes to our understanding of its rarity and persistence. We analyzed 88 individuals from 11 populations in NY and MI based on variations in 108 loci as revealed through ISSR markers using Nei's gene diversity index, percent polymorphic loci and other measures. Low genetic diversity predominates in the populations from NY, and even lower for the populations in MI. Our results also indicate that AHTF from NY and MI are genetically differentiated from each other, as well as the populations within them. There is no positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances, as well as between genetic distance and census population size. The significantly high among population genetic variation and low gene flow value are common indicators of a predominant inbreeding mating strategy within populations, limited spore dispersal, and genetic drift. Our results also indicate that each AHTF population is an important contributor to the overall genetic variation of the species and thus, represents a significant unit for conservation efforts.