rpl32-trnL片段在柳穿鱼不同地理居群遗传多样性分析中的应用

为了探究柳穿鱼（Linaria vulgaris）不同地理居群的遗传多样性,利用叶绿体DNA的rpl32-trnL片段对包含62个个体的4个柳穿鱼地理居群遗传多样性进行了研究。结果显示：柳穿鱼4个居群中共检测到15种单倍型和76个变异位点,总遗传多样性较高（H_d=0.878,π=0.003 88,K=2.994）,遗传变异主要存在于居群内（51.49%）,隶属于柳穿鱼虫媒异交繁殖策略的遗传特征;不同地区柳穿鱼居群间遗传分化大（0.466 14）,居群间基因交流水平较低（0.29）;遗传分化程度与地理距离存在中等程度相关性但不显著（R² = 0.36,P > 0.05）。中性检验显示除合水居群（HS）在进化过程中经历过瓶颈效应（Fu and Li’s D=-2.450 49,P<0.05）外,其他居群进化过程符合分子进化的中性理论。本研究结果不仅揭示了繁殖策略、地理隔离及生境干扰等因素塑造我国北方柳穿鱼居群遗传多样性和遗传结构特征,而且也为今后柳穿鱼资源保护策略的选择提供了理论依据。     

天目山不同海拔檫木群体遗传多样性和遗传结构

采用13对SSR引物,运用Bioptic Qsep100全自动核酸分析系统,分析了天目山5个海拔檫木群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构及其在不同海拔下的变化模式.结果表明: 天目山檫木群体具有较高的遗传多样性水平,其中期望杂合度和观察杂合度分别为0.84和0.61.根据Shannon指数,天目山檫木中海拔(500～800 m)群体的遗传多样性水平大于低海拔(200 m)和高海拔(1100～1400 m)群体的遗传多样性水平.由基因分化系数和AMOVA分析可知,檫木种群的遗传变异主要存在于群体内.STRUCTURE分析和UPGMA聚类分析表明,中、低海拔被划为一个群体,而高海拔被划为另一个群体.低海拔和中海拔檫木群体遗传距离的差异表明,人为干扰对物种多样性具有负面效应,而自然保护区对物种多样性的保护起到了积极作用.     

Biosystematics of the genus Pinus, subsection contortae

Gene frequency data from 42 isoenzyme loci were used to assess the phylogeny of taxa in the genus Pinus, subsection Contortae. The classification inferred from a phenogram based on Nei's genetic distance measure (D_N) was generally in good agreement with the current taxonomic treatment of the subsection. Pinus contorta appears to most closely resemble the ancestral taxon from which all other taxa in the subsection are derived. An alternative classification based upon Mahalonobis squared distances (D_R) obtained from seed and cone measurements differed from the isoenzyme treatment by placing P. contorta subsp. murrayana in close association with P. virginiana.     

不同喀斯特小生境中小蓬竹的遗传多样性

通过RAPD标记法对5类喀斯特小生境中小蓬竹的遗传结构及其多样性进行了分析。RAPD随机引物8个扩增共得87个清晰度高且重复性好的条带,分子量200～3 000 bp,含多态68条,物种PPL=78.16%,Nei’s基因多度H=0.291 3,Shannon多样性指数I=0.431 0。土面(TM)生长的小蓬竹遗传多样性水平最高(PPL=47.13%,H=0.195 3,I=0.283 4),石缝(SF)中的小蓬竹遗传多样性水平最低(PPL=39.08%,H=0.147 4,I=0.219 2)。POPGENE 32分析5类小生境中小蓬竹的遗传分化系数G_st=0.415 1,基因流N_m=0.704 5。5类小生境的小蓬竹间遗传相似系数(I)变化范围0.777 3～0.999 4,平均为0.865 6;遗传距离(D)变化范围0.000 6～0.251 9,平均为0.148 3。各类小生境的遗传多样性水平PPL均值为43.91%,5类小生境间的遗传分化G_st=0.405 4。研究结果说明,小生境间的差异增加了小蓬竹的遗传多样性。     

A global alfalfa diversity panel reveals genomic selection signatures in Chinese varieties and genomic associations with root development

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage crop worldwide. However, little is known about the effects of breeding status and different geographical populations on alfalfa improvement. Here, we sequenced 220 alfalfa core germplasms and determined that Chinese alfalfa cultivars form an independent group, as evidenced by comparisons of F_ST values between different subgroups, suggesting that geographical origin plays an important role in group differentiation. By tracing the influence of geographical regions on the genetic diversity of alfalfa varieties in China, we identified 350 common candidate genetic regions and 548 genes under selection. We also defined 165 loci associated with 24 important traits from genome-wide association studies. Of those, 17 genomic regions closely associated with a given phenotype were under selection, with the underlying haplotypes showing significant differences between subgroups of distinct geographical origins. Based on results from expression analysis and association mapping, we propose that 6-phosphogluconolactonase (MsPGL) and a gene encoding a protein with NHL domains (MsNHL) are critical candidate genes for root growth. In conclusion, our results provide valuable information for alfalfa improvement via molecular breeding.     

青藏高原岷县龙胆的遗传分化与种群动态历史分析

青藏高原是全球生物多样性中心之一,是研究物种形成和适应性进化的热点地区。岷县龙胆（Gentiana algida var. purdomii）是青藏高原地区特有植物,具有很高的药用价值。本研究以岷县龙胆种群为对象,基于不同遗传方式的分子标记,通过种群遗传结构、遗传分化、种群动态历史和物种分布模型等分析,探讨其在青藏高原的分化历史。结果表明：岷县龙胆具有高的遗传多样性,叶绿体数据表明种内遗传分化程度很高（F_ST=0.452）,但核基因数据表明种内遗传分化程度很低（F_ST=0.022）,揭示岷县龙胆种内存在强烈的基因流。种群动态历史分析表明岷县龙胆种群大小经历了近期扩张,物种分布模型的结果表明岷县龙胆在末次盛冰期以来分布范围略有扩张。分子钟模型的结果表明岷县龙胆种内的遗传分化主要发生在第四纪冰期以来。以上结果一致表明,第四纪气候波动是岷县龙胆分化的主要外部因素。本研究为龙胆属及青藏高原植物类群的物种分化、适应性研究以及资源开发与保护提供了参考。     

药食同源植物薤白的谱系地理学研究

对我国14个地区的药食同源植物薤白（Allium macrostemon）的叶绿体基因片段（psbA-trnH、rps16和trnL-F）与核基因片段（ITS）进行测序分析,揭示薤白的遗传变异分布式样、单倍型地理分布格局,并推断其在第四纪冰期的避难所。结果表明：薤白叶绿体基因（cpDNA）遗传多样性低于核基因（nrDNA）遗传多样性（cpDNA：H_T=0.868;nrDNA：H_T=0.890）。cpDNA和nrDNA的分子变异分析（AMOVA）结果显示：薤白遗传变异主要发生在居群间（cpDNA：92.84%;nrDNA：98.40%）,存在遗传分化（cpDNA：N_st=0.918,G_st=0.866,F_st=0.928;nrDNA：N_st=0.984,G_st=0.855,F_st=0.984）,且N_st均大于G_st,表明该物种具有明显的谱系地理结构。在薤白居群中,共检测到11个叶绿体单倍型和14个nrDNA基因型;单倍型网络图及地理分布图表明,叶绿体单倍型H3、核DNA基因型H1频率最高,位于网络结构图的中心位置,可能为古老单倍型。此外,冰期避难所假说认为遗传多样性高、拥有古老单倍型和较多特有单倍型的区域可能是该物种的冰期避难所,因此推测薤白在第四纪冰期时可能在大盘山、天水和通化地区存在多个冰期避难所。这些分析可为类似草本植物的进化提供参考,丰富对东亚草本植物分子系统与生物地理学的认识。     

Influence of Growth and High Mould Concentration on the Pressure Drop in Solid State Fermentations

Aspergillus niger was grown on Amberlite IRA-900 imbibed with a solution containing high concentrations of sucrose (S_i = 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/litre) in static aerated fermentors. Growth was followed in dry biomass, biomass protein, CO₂ production and pressure drop (DP). The DP allowed the monitoring of germination, vegetative growth, limitation and the onset of sporulation for the four concentrations of sucrose studied. Concentrations up to 103 mg dry biomass/g dry support were obtained with S_i = 400 g/litre and these reduced the relative intrinsic permeability to 0·0125. Under this condition the mould occupies 34% of the free space. DP increase was related to CO₂ production.     

Genetic variation of Ardisia crenata in south China revealed by nuclear microsatellite

Ardisia crenata Sims, one of the most widely distributed Ardisia in the world, is an important ornamental and medicinal plant species. Using 7 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci, we studied the genetic variation of 20 natural populations of A. crenata across its distribution centre, the south China. Significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all populations and at all loci were detected, and the fixation index was high (F_IS = 0.725), indicating that inbreeding may be dominant in the mixed mating system of this self-compatible species. The average genetic diversity within populations was relatively low (H_S = 0.321). There was significant genetic differentiation among populations (F_ST = 0.583), which may be resulted from high level of inbreeding and low level of gene flow. A. crenata in south China can be roughly divided into eastern group and western group, consistent with the floristic division of Sino-Himalayan forest subkingdom and Sino-Japanese forest subkingdom. It was suggested that there may be separated glacial refugia in each region.     

Crystal and molecular structure of μ-oxo-bis((5,10,15,20)tetrakispentafluorophenyl)porphinatoiron(III)

In this paper, we report the crystal and molecular structure of μ-oxo-bis(5,10,15,20)tetrakispentafluorophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) [(TPP(F₅)Fe)₂O]. The crystals belong to the tetragonal system, space group I4₁/a, with a =b = 26.362(7),c = 30.886(8)Å,V = 21465ų,Z = 8 and D_calc = 1.496. Discrepancy indices are R₁ = 0.084 and R₂ = 0.104 for 3320 reflections having I3σ(I). The FeN_p average distance, 2.088(11)Å, is at the long end of the range of high-spin ferric porphyrin while the FeO distances (1.775(1)Å) are similar to those of the non-halogenated analog (TPPFe)₂O. The FeOFe angle of 178.4(5)° shows an essentially linear oxo bridge. The 0.673(2)Ådisplacement of the iron atom from the porphyrin mean plane is unusually large. The facing porphyrin rings are twisted 47° with respect of each other giving the molecule nearly exact D_4d symmetry.     

岷江柏野生居群和迁地保护居群的遗传多样性比较

通过分析岷江柏的迁地保护居群和野生居群的遗传多样性、遗传结构及居群间基因流,判断迁地保 护岷江柏居群的遗传多样性水平,为其迁地保护提供理论基础。本研究利用GBS（Genotyping-by-Sequencing） 测序技术获得的SNP位点对四川大渡河双江口岷江柏迁地保护移栽苗、苗圃播种苗及3个野生居群进行主成分分析（PCA分析）、聚类分析、分子进化树、遗传多样性和遗传结构分析。经过GBS测序共获得高质量Clean Data 118 321 514 728 bp,并开发了1947 047个tags,从中鉴定到了1 259 610个SNP位点。系统发育进化树显示大部分移栽岷江柏居群和野生岷江柏聚在一起,居群结构分析结果显示交叉验证错误率的谷值确定最优分群数为1。4个岷江柏居群的观测杂合度（H_o）、期望杂合度（H_e）、Shannon信息指数I（S_hi）、近交系数（F_is）、多态信息含量（P_ic）的值分别为0.181 5~0.272 0、0.223 2~0.300 3、0.331 0~0.464 9、0.178 0~0.246 5和0.272 2~0.309 2,说明岷江柏居群的遗传多样性水平较高。移栽岷江柏居群的H_e=0.300 3,S_hi=0.464 9,岷江柏居群迁地保护居群遗传多样性总体水平略高于野生居群。野生岷江柏居群中白湾隧道（BW）_vs_松岗镇（SA）的遗传分化指数（F_st）较大,基因流（N_m）较小（F_st=0.091,N_m=2.496）,而迁地保护的岷江柏居群与野生岷江柏居群没有明显的遗传分化,居群间的基因交流频繁（F_st<0.05,基因流N_m>4）,说明没有明显的分群现象,岷江柏居群迁地保护居群遗传多样性较高。因此,移栽濒危植物是迁地保护过程中较好的方法,本文为以后野生岷江柏迁地保护提供参考,为其他树木种质资源的保存提供理论依据。     

青藏高原东北部黄缨菊的谱系地理学

黄缨菊（Xanthopappus subacaulis）是青藏高原地区一种特有的高山草甸药用植物。为探讨第四纪冰期气候波动对黄缨菊居群遗传结构和空间分布格局的影响,对黄缨菊20个居群、123个个体的叶绿体DNA片段（psbA-trnH、rbcL和psbI-psbK）进行测序和数据分析。结果表明：黄缨菊居群共检测到6个单倍型,其中H1为古老单倍型,除居群P7外其余居群均具有单倍型H1,H3、H5和H6为特有单倍型,单倍型H3为居群P7的私有单倍型,单倍型H5和H6只存在于居群P18,单倍型H2和H4主要存在于青海湖流域的居群;总的遗传多样性（H_e）和核苷酸多样性（π）分别为3.101和0.008 903;居群间遗传变异（68.98%）大于居群内遗传变异（31.02%）,居群间遗传分化较高（F_ST=0.689 85,P<0.01）;居群遗传分化系数N_ST（0.727）大于G_ST（0.656）（P>0.05）,表明黄缨菊在分布区域内不存在明显的谱系地理结构;错配分布和中性检验结果显示,黄缨菊居群可能经历过近期扩张。据此,推测第四纪冰期黄缨菊可能在青海湖流域和甘肃临潭地区存在微型避难所,认为第四纪气候变迁及青藏高原隆升塑造了黄缨菊的现代地理分布格局。     

基于单拷贝核基因的褐沙蒿遗传结构和谱系地理学分析

褐沙蒿（Artemisia intramongolica）是我国浑善达克沙地重要的固沙植物。本研究利用转录组测序开发获得的直系同源单拷贝核基因c9065和c7847对褐沙蒿8个自然种群进行群体遗传结构与谱系地理特征研究。结果表明：c9065和c7847总长度分别为485、457 bp,具有14、19个变异位点,分别获得48、40种单倍型;褐沙蒿单倍型多样性H_d分别为0.871 6和0.934 8,各种群均在0.8以上;总核苷酸多样性π分别为0.008 2和0.005 9,各种群均在0.005以上,表明不论是种还是种群均有高的遗传多样性。AMOVA分析结果显示,基于c9065和c7847,褐沙蒿分别有99.398%和98.908%的遗传变异存在于种群内,基因流N_m分别为6.810和7.270,远远大于1,说明褐沙蒿种群间基因交流十分广泛。c9065的分析结果N_stst,c7847虽然N_st>G_st,但差异不显著（P>0.05）,说明褐沙蒿种群不存在明显的谱系地理结构。中性检验显示,2个核基因的Tajima’s D值均不显著（P>0.05）,而Fu’s F_s值显著（P<0.05）,结合歧点分布分析,反映出褐沙蒿在中性模式下经历有限的种群扩张。     

锁阳ITS序列遗传多样性分析

为阐明锁阳(Cynomorium songaricum)的遗传结构与遗传多样性, 以甘肃省河西走廊地区及青海省共18个居群的188个锁阳个体为研究对象, 利用现代分子生物学技术, 采用序列分析方法从核-质基因方面对遗传结构进行了分析。结果显示, 锁阳ITS序列总长度为687 bp, 含有7个变异位点, 定义9个单倍型, 整体单倍型多态性H_d=0.294 20, 核苷酸多样性π=0.000 49。在整个单倍型网络中介图中, 单倍型H1位于中心位置, 并在所有的居群中均有分布, 为核心的古老单倍型。分子方差分析结果显示, 锁阳种群变异主要来源于种群内。根据ITS序列得到的群体间遗传分化系数以及Mantel检验结果, 锁阳种群间的遗传距离与地理距离之间不存在相关性, 表明现存的锁阳居群是相对近期发生生境片段化的产物。中性检验结果表明, 锁阳拒绝中性进化, 群体历经扩张或者基因座位受到负选择作用, 其中性零假说不能被排除。该研究为锁阳的系统分类、资源鉴定以及保护措施的制定提供了分子证据。     

The radiosensitivity of spermatogonial stem cells in C3H/101 F1 hybrid mice

The radiosensitivity of spermatogonial stem cells of C3H/HeH × 101/H F₁ hybrid mice was determined by counting undifferentiated spermatogonia at 10 days after X-irradiation. During the spermatogenic cycle, differences in radiosensitivity were found, which were correlated with the proliferative activity of the spermatogonial stem cells. In stage VIII_irr, during quiescence, the spermatogonial stem cells were most radiosensitive with a D₀ of 1.4 Gy. In stages XI_irr−V_irr, when the cells were proliferatively active, the D₀ was about 2.6 Gy. Based on the D₀ values for sensitive and resistant spermatogonia and on the D₀ for the total population, a ratio of 45:55% of sensitive to resistant spermatogonial stem cells was estimated for cell killing.

When the present data were compared with data on translocation induction obtained in mice of the same genotype, a close fit was obtained when the translocation yield (Y; in % abnormal cells) after a radiation dose D was described by Y = e^τD, with τ = 1 for the sensitive and τ = 0.1 for the resistant spermatogonial stem cells, with a maximal e^τD of 100.     

Genetic variation in Haworthia pumila and H. herbacea

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to examine genetic diversity within and differences between one population each of two morphologically different species of Haworthia, namely H. pumila and H. herbacea. Twenty-five leaf samples of each species were surveyed for 24 proteins of which 13 were useful for routine analysis, and gene products of 16 protein coding loci revealed genetic variation at 7 (43.8%) thereof in both species. Values of 1.63 (± 0.20) and 1.56 (± 0.18) were obtained for the mean number of alleles per locus and the average heterozygosity per locus was calculated at 0.168 (± 0.058) and 0.144 (± 0.048) for H. herbacea and H. pumila respectively. The malate dehydrogenase-2 locus is a potential genetic marker to identify the species studied electrophoretically. The mean genotypic distance index between the populations studied was 0.184, an indication of large degree of differentiation between the species. These values are much higher than values obtained for other members of the Aloaceae, showing that normal levels of genetic variation can be expected in at least some succulent monocotyledons.     

Gene flow and allozymic population structure in the clam Venus antiqua (King of Broderip), (Bivalvia, Veneriidae) from Southern Chile

Using horizontal electrophoresis, 13 allozyme loci were screened in 144 adult clams (Venus antiqua) (King of Broderip) from 5 geographic samples in southern Chile. Polymorphism was detected at 11 loci across the sampling localities. Gene frequency differences rather than the alternative fixation of alleles characterize these collecting sites. Direct-count heterozygosity fluctuated between 6.8% and 10.3%, with a generalized and significant heterozygote deficiency detected in every locality. Similar levels of genetic diversity were detected in both exploited banks and one presumed unmanaged population. Substantial estimates of demic structuration were found at the total population (F_ST=0.107) and regional levels (F_ST=0.143), with coinciding high inbreeding estimates (F_IS=0.57). Although no statistically significant evidence of genetic substructuring was found at the within-region comparison (F_ST=0.007), a generalized heterozygote deficiency (F_IS=0.57) also characterized that hierarchical level. Spatial correlation of gene frequencies indicated a nearly random distribution of genotypes along the latitudinal distribution of samples. The high rates of global, and the within-region rates of gene flow suggest substantial larval interchange via long-distance dispersal that prevent differentiation by drift alone. Accordingly, no discrete genetic units can be recognized for the species at any spatial scale. Apparently, high recruitment rates help in replenishing genetic variants lost by continuous overfishing, thus explaining why human extraction has not resulted in major losses of genetic variation for individual populations. The slow-growing rate and delayed sexual maturation of this clam species are apparently stronger limiting factors than human-induced genetic erosion for the conservation of natural beds and viable captive management of V. antiqua.     

水蚀风蚀交错区不同土地利用方式的土壤水气传输特性

研究水蚀风蚀交错区土地利用方式转变对土壤水气传输的影响,可为黄土高原生态恢复过程中有限水土资源的高效利用提供参考.为了分析不同土地利用方式下的土壤水气传输特性,探究饱和导水率(K_s)、导气率(K_a)和相对气体扩散率(D_P/D₀)间的关系,对柠条地、撂荒地、苜蓿地、农地和裸地样地0~5 cm深度土层原状土,采用定水头法测定K_s,气室法测定D_P/D₀,土壤导气率测定仪测定田间持水量(FC)下的K_a.结果表明: 土壤0~5 cm容重(ρ_b)的大小顺序为苜蓿地>裸地>撂荒地>柠条地>农地,撂荒地、裸地和苜蓿地ρ_b与农地差异显著.土壤总孔隙度(Φ)的大小顺序为农地>柠条地>撂荒地>裸地>苜蓿地,相比农地,苜蓿地、裸地和撂荒地土壤Φ分别低7.5%、4.7%和3.1%.充气孔隙度(ε₁₀₀)的大小顺序为农地>撂荒地>柠条地>裸地>苜蓿地,苜蓿地、裸地、柠条地和撂荒地ε₁₀₀分别较农地低38.3%、33.6%、12.8%和10.1%.土壤K_s的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>裸地>农地,其中,撂荒地K_s显著高于其他4种土地利用方式;土壤K_a的大小顺序为撂荒地>苜蓿地>柠条地>裸地>农地,撂荒地与农地之间差异显著;土壤D_P/D₀的大小顺序为撂荒地>柠条地>苜蓿地>农地>裸地,其中,柠条地和撂荒地土壤D_P/D₀显著大于农地,分别较农地高36.8%和61.6%.土壤K_s和FC条件下的K_a、D_P/D₀之间呈显著相关.土地利用方式转变显著改变了土壤的通透性,耕地撂荒或者种植柠条及苜蓿改善了表层土壤导水和导气性能,农地和裸地土壤水气传输能力较差.     

Cortisol metabolism in vitro—III. Inhibition of microsomal 6β—hydroxylase and cytosolic 4-ene-reductase

The in vitro metabolism of cortisol in human liver fractions is highly complex and variable. Cytosolic metabolism proceeds predominantly via A-ring reduction (to give 3,5β-tetrahydrocortisol; 3,5β-THF), while microsomal incubations generate upto 7 metabolites, including 6β-hydroxycortisol (6β-OHF), and 6β-hydroxycortisone (6β-OHE), products of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to examine two of the main enzymes involved in cortisol metabolism, namely, microsomal 6β-hydroxylase and cytosolic 4-ene-reductase. In particular, we wished to assess the substrate specificity of these enzymes and identify compounds with inhibitory potential. Incubations for 30 min containing [³H]cortisol, potential inhibitors, microsomal or cytosolic protein (3 mg), and co-factors were followed by radiometric HPLC analysis. The K_m value for 6β-OHF and 6β-OHE formation was 15.2 ± 2.1 μM (mean ± SD; n = 4) and the V_max value 6.43 ± 0.45 pmol/min/mg microsomal protein. The most potent inhibitor of cortisol 6β-hydroxylase was ketoconazole (K_i = 0.9 ± 0.4 μM; N = 4), followed by gestodene (K_i = 5.6 ± 0.6 μM) and cyclosporine (K_i = 6.8 ± 1.4 μM). Both betamethasone and dexamethasone produced some inhibition (K_i = 31.3 and 54.5 μ, respectively). However, substrates for CYP2C (tolbutamide), CYP2D (quinidine), and CYP1A (theophylline) were essentially non-inhibitory. The K_m value for cortisol 4-ene-reductase was 26.5 ± 11.2 μM (n = 4) and the V_max value 107.7 ± 46.0 pmol/min/mg cytosolic protein. The most potent inhibitors were androstendione (K_i = 17.8 ± 3.3 μM) and gestodene (K_i = 23.8 ± 3.8 μM). Although both compounds have identical A-rings to cortisol, and undergo reduction, inhibition was non-competitive.     

Reproductive biology of a mycoheterotrophic species, Burmannia wallichii (Burmanniaceae)

The breeding system of a mycoheterotrophic species, Bumannia wallichii (Miers) Hook. f. (Burmanniaceae), is assessed using field observations, floral anatomy, pollen histochemistry and isozyme electrophoresis. The structure of the flower effectively prevents pollinators from accessing the stamens, and no pollinators were observed visiting natural populations in Hong Kong. The pollen is starch-rich but lipid-poor. Analysis of isozyme variation revealed a small proportion of polymorphic loci, a low level of total heterozygosity ( H _T= 0.1972), and a very high overall fixation index of populations ( F _IT= 0.6602). These results strongly suggest that B. wallichii is predominantly self-pollinated. The coefficient of gene differentiation ( G _ST) is low (0.05), although it is suggested that this is due to genetic homogenization of populations consonant with the formation of numerous tiny 'diaspora' seeds that are wind dispersed.