西南地区野生刺梨的遗传多样性和遗传结构研究

为了探究西南地区野生刺梨(Rosa roxburghii)的遗传多样性和起源演化,该研究基于2段单拷贝核基因(GAPDH和ncpGS)和3段叶绿体基因(atpF-trnH、trnL-trnF和trnG-trnS)的拼接序列,对刺梨27个野生居群共320个个体进行PCR扩增和测序,并用相关软件对测序结果进行分析。结果表明:(1)在单拷贝核基因和叶绿体基因水平上刺梨均表现出较低的遗传多样性(scnDNA: Hd=0.469 2, π=0.000 49; cpDNA: Hd=0.653 4, π=0.000 65),并且不同居群间存在较大差异。(2)分子方差分析(AMOVA)结果均显示,遗传变异主要发生在居群内,表明居群内的变异是野生刺梨遗传变异的主要来源,居群间存在明显的遗传分化( cpDNA:F_ST=0.336 47,G_ST=0.273,N_ST= 0.308; scnDNA:F_ST=0.094 87,N_ST=0.076,G_ST=0.056),刺梨的分布不具有明显的谱系地理结构(P>0.05)。(3)中性检验 Tajima''s D值均为不显著负值,符合中性进化模型。Fu''s Fs值均为显著负值,结合失配分析曲线,推测刺梨种群在小范围内经历过扩张,但总体上维持稳定状态。(4)根据单倍型多样性得出,毕节地区的居群遗传多样性水平较高并且拥有丰富的单倍型,推测可能为冰期避难所,因此应对其实施就地保护。对于拥有特殊性状和特有单倍型的居群也应采取优先保护措施。该文为野生刺梨资源保护和遗传育种提供了一定的参考价值。     

野生罗汉果遗传多样性的ISSR分析

应用ISSR分子标记方法对采自广西和广东的7个罗汉果（Siraitia grosvenorii）野生居群共130个个体进行了遗传多样性分析。15个ISSR引物共扩增到了111个位点,其中91个是多态性位点,占82.0%。Nei′s基因多样性指数(H_e)为 0.248,Shannon 信息多样性指数（I） 为0.354。罗汉果不同居群的遗传多样性水平差异较大,居群多态位点百分率在 28.2%－55.6%之间,Nei′s基因多样性指数为0.080－0.209,Shannon 信息多样性指数为0.123－0.310。永福居群（YF）和金秀居群（JX）的遗传多样性水平较高,其周边居群的遗传多样性水平逐渐降低,居群间产生了较大的遗传分化（G_st = 0.569）。居群间的遗传距离与地理距离相关性不明显（r =0.369,P = 0.115）。UPGMA聚类图中,7个居群的个体按居群各自聚在一起。     

基于SSR分子标记的草果栽培起源分析

为探索草果（Amomum tsaoko）的遗传多样性和栽培起源,对草果和拟草果（A. paratsaoko）在8个SSR位点上的遗传变异进行了分析。结果表明,8个SSR位点在20个草果居群和5个拟草果居群分别检测到149和101个等位基因,特有等位基因分别为44和59个。方差分析（AMOVA）表明,仅10.43%的遗传变异存在于2物种间,8.66%于种内居群间,80.91%于居群内（P<0.01）。拟草果居群总的遗传分化程度较大（0.15≤F_st≤0.25）,草果的为中度（0.05≤F_st≤0.15）。SMM模式下2物种的遗传分化均加大（F_st<P_st）。因此,草果和拟草果共享祖先的遗传多样性,可能通过随机遗传漂变完成谱系分选后基因突变的积累形成了现有遗传分化模式;围绕大围山的马关、屏边地区可能是草果栽培起源地理中心。     

秦巴山区石斛属亲缘关系及金钗石斛遗传多样性ISSR分析

为研究秦巴山区石斛属亲缘关系,利用5条ISSR引物对秦巴地区石斛属植物12个居群的遗传多样性进行了初步探讨。结果表明：（1）UPGMA聚类分析结果显示,金钗石斛（Dendrobium nobile Lindl）、曲茎石斛（D.flexicaule Z. H. Tsi）和细叶石斛（D.hancockii Rolfe）分别聚为三支,在分子水平上出现了明显的分化,揭示三者是独立物种。（2）金钗石斛种下6个居群可明显分为2支,LJ、MT、YP和WF遗传一致度较近聚为一支;YJ和PT遗传高度一致,遗传距离最近聚在一起。（3）金钗石斛种下居群间Neis总基因多样性（H_t）为0.388,基因分化系数(G_st)为0.934,显示金钗石斛居群间存在较高的遗传分化。研究结果揭示了秦巴山区石斛属植物的亲缘关系,从分子水平上为其鉴定提供了依据,并为金钗石斛的资源利用和遗传改良奠定理论基础。     

基于SSR标记的新疆野杏群体遗传多样性及遗传结构

利用27对SSR分子标记对新疆4个野杏群体遗传多样性和遗传结构进行分析,评价新疆野杏遗传多样性水平和分化程度,为新疆野杏合理保护与利用提供科学依据。结果显示：（1）27对SSR引物共检测到431个等位基因（N_a）,各位点平均等位基因数（N_a）和多态性信息含量（PIC）分别为15.96和0.84;物种水平上Shannons信息指数（I）和期望杂合度（H_e）分别为2.21和0.78。（2）群体水平上等位基因数（N_a）、有效等位基因（N_e）、Shannons信息指数（I）、期望杂合度（H_e）和观察杂合度（H_o）分别为10.98、5.85、1.92、0.79和0.55;其中新源县野杏群体遗传多样性最丰富,巩留县群体遗传多样性最低。（3）基于F统计量分析的遗传分化系数（F_st）为0.05,基因流（N_m）为5.26;分子方差分析显示新疆野杏群体大部分遗传变异来自群体内（95.4%）,群体间的遗传变异仅占4.6%。（4）新疆野杏群体遗传距离为0.06~0.49,平均为0.24;遗传相似度为0.61~0.94,平均为0.80;遗传相似度的聚类分析和遗传距离的主坐标分析结果一致,均将供试4个群体划分为两组;Mantel检测显示,新疆野杏群体遗传距离与地理距离无显著相关（r=0.332,P＝0.16）。研究表明,新疆野杏资源具有丰富的遗传多样性,群体遗传分化程度较低,群体间遗传距离较小,这与新疆野杏群体的大小和悠久的演化历史以及群体间频繁的基因交流相关。     

濒危物种巴东木莲的等位酶遗传多样性及其保护策略

为了确定中国特有濒危植物巴东木莲(Manglietia patungensis)的就地保护优先单元和制定迁地保护的取样策略,采用超薄平板聚丙烯酰胺等电聚焦电泳技术对巴东木莲的7个野生居群的等位酶遗传多样性及遗传结构进行了分析。通过对8个酶系统19个酶位点的分析结果来看,巴东木莲具有较高的遗传多样性和一定程度的遗传分化。每位点平均等位基因数（A）为1.57,多态位点百分率（P）为48.1%,平均预期杂合度（H_e）为0.192。巴东木莲居群间的遗传分化系数（G_ST）为0.165,说明其16.5％的遗传变异存在于居群间;基于遗传分化系数计算的基因流（N_m）为1.27,说明居群间存在适度的基因流;固定指数(F)为-0.191,显示巴东木莲居群杂合体轻微过量,纯合体略显不足。本研究表明,目前巴东木莲仍具有较高的遗传多样性并且在其适宜生境中可以完成自然更新,因此应采取以就地保护为主的综合保育策略。     

云南48种木兰科野生植物资源遗传多样性研究

为了解云南省木兰科（Magnoliaceae）野生植物资源的遗传多样性,利用ISSR分子标记技术对48种木兰科野生植物资源进行研究。结果表明,10对引物共扩增出151条带,均为多态性条带,多态性条带百分率为100%。总的观测等位基因数（N_a）为2.000 0,有效等位基因数（N_e）为1.564 5,Nei’s基因多样性指数（H）0.337 9,Shannon’s信息指数（I）为0.510 1。总的基因多样性指数（H_t）为0.368 0,属间基因多样性指数（D_st）为0.251 9,占68.4%,基因分化系数（G_st）为0.684 0,基因流（N_m）为0.231 0。UPGMA聚类分析将48种木兰科植物划分为7个类群,各类群并非按照属聚在一起,而是不同属植物相间分布,长喙厚朴（Magnolia rostrata）、素黄含笑（Michelia flaviflora）和球花含笑（M.sphaerantha）可能为云南省木兰科植物中的原始种。48种木兰科野生植物总体具有较高的遗传多样性,但属间遗传变异较高,基因流较小,存在遗传漂变的风险,聚类结果与刘玉壶的分类系统存在分歧,这从分子水平为木兰科植物间的起源、进化与分类提供了重要依据。     

滇牡丹遗传多样性的ISSR分析

应用ISSR标记对中国西南地区特有植物滇牡丹(Paeonia delavayi)的遗传多样性进行了研究。从100个引物中筛选出10个用于正式扩增,在取自16个自然居群和1个迁地保护居群的511个个体中,检测到92个多态位点。在居群水平上,多态位点百分率（PPB）为44.61%,Nei′s基因多样性指数（H）和Shannon信息指数（I）分别为0.1657和0.2448。在物种水平上,多态位点百分率（PPB）为79.31%,Nei′s基因多样性指数（H）和Shannon信息指数（I）分别为0.2947和0.4355。居群间的遗传分化系数(G_ST)达0.4349。结果表明：滇牡丹遗传多样性水平较高,居群间遗传分化较大。结合以前的研究结果,对滇牡丹的现状进行评估的结果显示,滇牡丹并不濒危。     

基于线粒体DNA序列的秦岭地区淡足青步甲种群遗传结构分析

淡足青步甲Chlaenius pallipes是一类重要的天敌昆虫。为了揭示秦岭地区淡足青步甲的种群遗传分化和种群历史动态,对13个地理种群151个个体的线粒体Cox1-tRNALeu-Cox2片段DNA序列进行了分析。序列比对后的全长为1 602 bp,共检测到57个多态性位点,定义65个单倍型,其中48个为居群内特有单倍型,17个为居群间共享单倍型。单倍型多样性指数H_d 为0.972,核苷酸多样性指数P_i为 0.0025。该种群遗传分化明显,但AMOVA分析结果表明变异主要来源于种群内,占变异总量的92.10%。SAMOVA和PERMUT分析结果均表明秦岭地区的淡足青步甲种群不存在明显的谱系地理结构。结合中性检验、错配分布和BSP分析结果表明该物种发生过种群扩张,且扩张时间大致在0.100-0.025 Ma之间。     

昌化江河谷隔离对海南岛特有植物盾叶苣苔遗传多样性的影响

为评估盾叶苣苔的遗传多样性与遗传分化格局,探索影响盾叶苣苔遗传变异地理分布的因素,该研究采集盾叶苣苔(Metapetrocosmea peltata)11个种群172份材料,通过PCR扩增和测序分析核糖体转录间隔区(ITS)序列的变异式样。结果表明:(1)盾叶苣苔物种水平的遗传多样性很高(H_T=0.998, π=0.023 5),种群间基因流很弱(N_m=0.04)且存在强烈的遗传分化(G_ST=0.375)。(2)单倍型分析显示,盾叶苣苔的单倍型大多是种群特异的,仅白马岭与南茂岭种群有共享单倍型。(3)Mantel test表明,遗传距离和地理距离存在一定相关性(相关系数r=0.322,P=0.010)。(4)Structure聚类分析将盾叶苣苔划分为6种遗传成分,其地理分布与昌化江河谷导致的隔离样式基本一致,基于Nei遗传距离的种群聚类分析支持这一结果,显示盾叶苣苔遗传多样性的分布受到昌化江河谷的隔离作用。(5)AMOVA分析确定67%的变异来自地区间,表明地理隔离是盾叶苣苔种群分化的重要因素。这表明昌化江及其支流所引起的海南岛山地内部隔离是盾叶苣苔种群发生强烈遗传分化的重要原因,从而导致盾叶苣苔在物种水平具有较高的遗传多样性。上述研究结果为海南特有苦苣苔资源盾叶苣苔的保护和可持续利用提供了理论指导,将有助于理解海南岛特有植物和其他海岛植物遗传变异的地理分布及其影响因素。     

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。     

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。     

油松遗传结构与地理阻隔因素的相关性

油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)是我国特有广布树种。秦岭是我国亚热带和暖温带气候的重要分界线,贺兰山是我国西北干旱区与半干旱区的分界线。旨在以分布于秦岭、贺兰山和晋陕两省的10个天然油松种群为研究对象,通过对其线粒体DNA(nad1和matR内含子)的序列,探讨地理阻隔对油松遗传结构的影响。结果表明,10个天然油松种群的100个个体中共检测到27个单倍型,多态位点172个,简约信息位点35个,单一多态性位点137个。其中1个单倍型为全部种群共有,4个单倍型为2-5个种群共有,其余22个单倍型为各个种群所独有。在这10个种群中,有8个种群分别具有1-4个独有单倍型。尽管秦岭南侧种群和北侧种群分别具有两个和一个独有单倍型; 贺兰山东侧种群和西侧种群均具有3个独有单倍型;但是与晋陕种群(即油松分布区中心种群)相比,其种群独有单倍型平均数目则明显较少。与此同时,不仅秦岭南北两侧或贺兰山东西两侧种群的独有单倍型的进化关系往往较近,而且秦岭北侧或贺兰山东侧种群的独有单倍型与油松分布区中心种群的某些独有单倍型的关系亦较近。从而导致秦岭南北两侧或贺兰山东西两侧种群与油松分布区中心种群之间表现出比较复杂的聚类关系。由此可见,油松的遗传结构与山脉屏障的存在没有明显关系。     

Genetic diversity and spatial structure in the rare,endemic orophyte Campanula pseudostenocodon Lac. (Apennines,Italy), as inferred from nuclear and plastid variation

Abstract

Analysis of ISSR markers revealed a large variation within samples, with polymorphic loci (P) ranging from 42 to 82%, in relation to population size. A consistent genetic differentiation (G_st = 0.207; Φ_st 29.71%) was found among the four examined populations. Based on changes in the chloroplast trn ^LEU intron, three distinct haplotypes were identified. Three out of the four populations were fixed for a single haplotype, with the two northernmost populations, which are geographically closest (65 km apart), sharing the same one. These findings suggest that a relatively long period of restricted gene flow originated the present-day spatial structure of C. pseudostenocodon. Application of both nuclear and organelle markers in estimating genetic diversity may be advisable in conservation studies, since they may reveal a peculiar local diversity.     

Geographic distribution of chloroplast variation in Italian populations of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.)

The distribution of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation in Italian beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations was studied using PCR-RFLP and microsatellite markers. In total, 67 populations were analysed, and 14 haplotypes were identified by combining the two marker types. A remarkable subdivision of cpDNA diversity in Italian beech was found, as indicated by a high level of genetic differentiation (G_st=0.855). The highest level of total haplotype diversity (h_t=0.822) was estimated for southern Italian populations. The highest number of haplotypes was found in the central-southern region of the peninsula. The nested clade analysis provided evidence for past fragmentation events that may have been occurred during the Quaternary glaciations and had a major role in defining the genetic structure of the central-southern Italian beech populations. Only one haplotype apparently spread towards the north of Italy along the Apennine chain and reached the Italian slope of the western part of the Alps (Maritime Alps, Liguria). All haplotypes found along the Apennines remained trapped in the Italian peninsula. Southern and central Italy represent hotspots of haplotype diversity for Italian beech.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at Communicated by O. Savolainen     

祁连山区特有物种黑虎耳草的居群遗传多样性研究

利用叶绿体基因(rbcL和trnS-G)及核糖体DNA内转录间隔区(ITS),对祁连山区狭域分布的特有物种黑虎耳草8个居群(115个个体)进行遗传多样性研究,旨在揭示黑虎耳草的居群遗传结构及其历史进化过程。结果表明:(1)所有取样个体共检测到4个cpDNA单倍型和9个ITS单倍型,其中祁连山东南部的居群固定较多的单倍型和特有单倍型,而西北部居群只固定少数几个广泛分布的单倍型,且遗传多样性普遍较低。(2)基于cpDNA数据和ITS数据的分子变异分析(AMOVA)显示,遗传变异主要来源于居群内。(3)基于cpDNA数据的中性检验表明,Tajima’s D(-1.012 30,P 0.05)和FuLi’s D*(-2.066 77,P 0.05)均为负值,均不显著;歧点分布分析结果显示,黑虎耳草居群经历过近期的扩张事件。根据物种现有遗传分布格局推测,黑虎耳草在第四纪冰期时退缩到祁连山东南部的边缘避难所,间冰期或冰期后回迁到祁连山西北部地区,在回迁过程中由于奠基者效应导致祁连山西北部的居群仅固定少数广泛分布的单倍型,并呈现出较低的遗传多样性;由于居群较小且相互隔离,该物种经历了严重的瓶颈效应和遗传漂变,导致该物种总遗传多样性(H_T)和居群平均遗传多样性(H_S)远低于虎耳草属其他青藏高原-喜马拉雅广域分布的物种。     

Brown hares on the edge: Genetic population structure of the Danish brown hare

Denmark lies on the edge of the distributional range of the brown hareLepus europaeus Pallas, 1778, where population differentiation is most likely to occur. A total of 369 brown hares from eight geographically distinct Danish European brown hare populations were used to study the genetic population structure. In all, 480bp of the mitochondrial D-loop were sequenced in both directions. Observed genetic diversity (π) was relatively low (π=0.41%) while haplotype diversity (h=0.808) and the number of unique haplotypes (19) were similar to levels found in other European brown hare populations. The observed population structure was pronounced (pairwise conventionalF _ST and ϕ _st ranged between 6.9–57% and 5–69.8%, respectively). There was no correlation between the geographic and the genetic distance. Population structure was influenced by genetic drift, anthropogenic effects (eg translocation and escapes from hare-farms) and by post-glacial recolonization from southern refuges or refuges north east of the Black Sea. Analysis of historical population expansion/fluctuation events indicated that the populations have experienced different demographic events in the recent past. Relatively high sequence divergence between some populations might be explained by multiple recolonization events after the last Pleistocene glaciations or by stocking effects. Colonization from southern refuges was supported by the observation that haplotype 2 in the Danish brown hare was identical to the central European ancestral haplotype c07.     

Phylogeography suggest the Yili Valley being the glacial refuge of the genus Ixiolirion (Amaryllidaceae) in China

The Pleistocene climatic oscillations had profound effects on the demographic history and genetic diversification of plants in arid north-west China where some glacial refugia have been recognized. The genus Ixiolirion comprises three species, of which two, I. tataricum and I. songaricum (endemic), occur in China. In some locations they are sympatric. We investigated their population structure and population history in response to past climatic change using a sample of 619 individuals in 34 populations with nITS and ptDNA sequences. A significant genetic divergence between the two species was supported by a high level of pairwise genetic differentiation, very low gene flow, and phylogenetic analysis showing that I. songaricum haplotypes were monophyletic, whereas those of I. tataricum were polyphyletic. We found significant differentiation and phylogeographic structure in both species. The split of the two species was dated to the late Miocene (～7?Ma), but deep divergence occurred in the mid-late Quaternary. A similar haplotype distribution pattern was found in both species: one to two dominant haplotypes across most populations, with unique haplotypes in a few populations or a geographic group. The genetic diversity, haplotype number, and haplotype diversity decreased from the Yili Valley to the central Tianshan and Barluk Mountains. Additionally, ptDNA analysis showed that I. tataricum diversified in the eastern Tianshan and Barluk Mountains, which might be due to physical barriers to long distance seed dispersal such as desert. In conclusion, our results indicated that the Yili Valley was likely a glacial refuge for Ixiolirion in China, with postglacial dispersal from the Yili Valley eastward to the eastern Tianshan Mountains, and northward to the Barluk Mountains. The climatic changes in the Miocene and Pleistocene and geographic barriers are important factors driving species divergence and differentiation of Ixiolirion and other taxa.     

基于cpDNA单倍型多态性的草果栽培地理起源证据

为了探索草果(Amomum tsaoko)的栽培地理起源,该文检测了草果、拟草果(A. paratsaoko)的cpDNA序列变化,并获取了单倍型多态性信息。结果表明:(1)20个草果居群272个植株、5个拟草果居群62个植株共检测到7种单倍型。其中,草果有3种单倍型(H1、H3、H6),拟草果有6种单倍型(H1、H2、H3、H4、H5、H7)。H1和H3为共享单倍型,H6为草果私有单倍型,H2、H4、H5、H7为拟草果私有单倍型。H1为普通单倍型,H2为祖先单倍型。(2)草果居群遗传多样性远小于拟草果居群,遗传变异主要来源于居群内,拟草果居群主要来源于居群间。麻栗坡铁厂(TC)、屏边玉屏(YP)居群的遗传多样性、单倍型多样性高于其他18个草果居群。(3)进一步分析表明,包含屏边、马关、西畴、麻栗坡的云南东南部前端地域和邻接的广西那坡可能共同构成草果栽培驯化起源中心,以麻栗坡为核心区域,向周边的西畴、马关、屏边、那坡扩张。因此,结果显示应对TC、YP、那坡下华(XH)居群加以保护。该研究结果为草果种质资源保护、利用提供了遗传学信息。     

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.