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 population structure of the serpentine endemic Calystegia collina (Convolvulaceae) in northern California

We used enzyme electrophoresis to evaluate genetic diversity in 32 populations of Calystegia collina, a clonal plant species endemic to serpentine outcrops in northern California (USA). Of 34 loci examined 56% were polymorphic, but on average only 17% were polymorphic within local populations. Neither the total number of alleles nor the number of multilocus genotypes differed significantly between populations in small vs. large serpentine outcrops. Genetic and geographic distances between populations were positively correlated, but this relationship was not significantly affected by the isolation of serpentine outcrops. Populations were highly differentiated (F(st) = 0.417) and little genetic variation was explained by geographic region or serpentine outcrop.Observed heterozygosity within populations almost always exceeded Hardy-Weinberg expectations. In many populations, all 30 sample ramets were uniformly heterozygous at one or more loci yet were genetically variable at other loci. These results imply that many C. collina populations originate from one or a few genetic founders, with little recruitment from seeds. Genetic variation within uniformly heterozygous populations must be the product of multiple, closely related founders or somatic mutations within the population. We conclude that vegetative reproduction, perhaps coupled with somatic mutation, helps maintain genetic diversity in these isolated but long-lived populations.     

Population genetic structure of wild Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae), with special reference to population sizes

To set up an in situ conservation strategy for Phaseolus lunatus, we analyzed the genetic structure of 29 populations in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Using 22 enzyme loci, we quantified the proportion of polymorphic loci (P(p)), the mean number of alleles per locus (A), and the mean effective number of alleles per locus (A(e)), which equaled to 10.32%, 1.10, and 1.05, respectively. The total heterozygosity (H(T)), the intrapopulation genetic diversity (H(S)), and the interpopulation genetic diversity (D(ST)) were 0.193, 0.082, and 0.111, respectively. The genotypic composition of the analyzed populations showed a deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg proportions (F(IT) = 0.932). This disequilibrium was due to either genetic differentiation between populations (F(ST) = 0.497) or nonrandom mating within populations (F(IS) = 0.866). From the level of genetic differentiation between populations and the private alleles frequencies estimates, gene flow was calculated: Nm(W) = 0.398 and Nm(S) = 0.023, respectively. The results suggested that wild Lima bean maintains most of its isozyme variation among populations. Significant positive correlation was observed between population size and P(p), A, and H(o) (observed heterozygosity), whereas no correlation was observed with the average fixation index of population (F). The loss of genetic variability in populations was attributed to inbreeding and the bottleneck effects that characterized the target populations. In situ conservation and management procedures for wild Lima bean are discussed.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae)

Using 19 allozyme loci we studied genetic diversity in 18 populations of Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae) from the southeastern United States. Of the 19 loci surveyed, 17 (89.5%) were polymorphic in at least one of the populations sampled. There was considerable variation among populations in the percentage of polymorphic loci (range = 31.6-84.2%, mean = 67.6%). Similar heterogeneity among populations was observed for mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus (range = 2.0-3.0; mean = 2.48) and mean expected heterozygosity (range = 0.113-0.288; mean = 0.213). On average, 83% of the total genetic diversity was found within populations. Duplications of three allozyme loci were detected in several populations. The life-history characteristics of Y. filamentosa (a long-lived, semiwoody, predominantly outcrossing monocot with a large geographical range) may contribute to the maintenance of such high levels of genetic diversity. These results contradict expectations of the genetic structure of Y. filamentosa based on observations of the dispersal and pollination behavior of its sole pollinator, Tegeticula yuccasella, the yucca moth.     

Determination of Genetic Diversity of Vitis vinifera cv. Kabarcik Populations from the Coruh Valley Using SSR Markers

Northeastern Turkey is recognized as one of the most important germplasm centers for the grape in the world. In the present study, simple sequence repeat markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity between four Vitis vinifera cv. Kabarcik populations sampled from the Coruh Valley in Turkey, at altitudes of 800-1,150 m. The mean observed number of alleles per locus varied from 2 (loci VVMD7 and VVMD24) to 6 (VVS2) among populations. The population from the highest altitude showed the greatest average number of alleles, 4.5. With regard to the six loci examined in all populations, the mean observed heterozygosity was higher than the expected heterozygosity. Among the loci, VVS2 (probability of identity = 0.137) was found to be the most informative among populations. Genetic distances between populations ranged from 0.072 to 0.216. Genetic differentiation among populations was strongly related to geographic distances in all populations.     

Genetic structure of an endangered plant, Antirrhinum microphyllum (Scrophulariaceae): allozyme and RAPD analysis

Thirteen allozyme loci and 68 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were analyzed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of threatened Antirrhinum microphyllum (Scrophulariaceae), a narrow endemic of central Spain known from only four populations. According to allozyme data, species genetic diversity (p = 46.15%, A = 2.61, and H(e) = 0.218), as well as within-population genetic diversity (p = 44.23%, A = 2.10, and H(e) = 0.204), were high when compared to average estimates for other narrowly distributed plant species. Ninety-four percent of species genetic diversity corresponded to within-population genetic diversity. Nevertheless, significant differences were found among populations in allele frequencies of four of the six polymorphic loci, and three private alleles were detected. Inbreeding coefficients (F(IS)) suggest that populations are structured in genetic neighborhoods. The RAPDs also showed high levels of genetic diversity (p = 89.71% and H(e) = 0.188 at the species level, and p = 67.65% and H(e) = 0.171 at the population level). Nei's genetic distances estimated both from allozymes and RAPDs indicated low differentiation among populations. In spite of this, the low frequencies of certain alleles and the presence of private alleles indicate that efforts should be made to conserve all four remaining populations.     

High levels of genetic polymorphism in the insular endemic herb Jepsonia malvifolia.

Jepsonia malvifolia is a long-lived perennial herb endemic to the Channel Islands of southern California and Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Twelve populations of J. malvifolia on San Clemente Island were surveyed for their genotype at 21 allozyme loci, revealing high levels of genetic polymorphism. For all individuals across San Clemente Island, 95.2% of loci are polymorphic with A(p) = 2.90 and H(e) = 0.179. Populations averaged 60.2% polymorphic loci with A(p) = 2.42 and H(e) = 0.158. Most variation is found within rather than among populations (G(ST) = 0.101), although differentiation among populations is significant. Genetic identities range from 0.936 to 0.999 with mean I = 0.975. There is no significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance. Gene flow among populations is Nm = 9.5 based on private alleles and Nm = 2.2 based on F(ST). Outcrossing rates based on fixation indices average t = 0.753, indicating a primarily outcrossed mating system. The genetic variation observed is unusually high for an insular endemic herb and indicates that J. malvifolia is unlikely to be endangered by genetic factors.     

RAPD analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Elymus sibiricus (Poaceae) native to the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Genetic diversity of Elymus sibiricus (Poaceae) was examined in eight populations from the southeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We detected 291 RAPD polymorphic loci in 93 samples. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 79%. Genetic diversity (H(E)) was 0.264, effective number of alleles (N(E)) was 1.444, Shannon's information index (H(O)) was 0.398, and expected Bayesian heterozygosity (H(B)) was 0.371. At the population level, PPB = 51%, N(E) = 1.306, H(E) = 0.176, I = 0.263, and H(B) = 0.247. A high level of genetic differentiation was detected based on Nei's genetic diversity analysis (G(ST) = 32.0%), Shannon's index analysis (33.7%), and the Bayesian method (θ(B) = 33.5%). The partitioning of molecular variance by AMOVA demonstrated significant genetic differentiation within populations (60%) and among populations (40%). The average number of individuals exchanged between populations per generation (N(m)) was 1.06. The populations were found to share high levels of genetic identity. No significant correlation was found between geographic distance and pairwise genetic distance (r = 0.7539, P = 0.9996). Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation (r = 0.762) between RAPD H(E) found in this study and ISSR H(E) values from a previous study.     

A Comparative Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Differently-Aged Populations of Spartina alternif lora on Restored Versus Natural Wetlands

We collected naturally recolonizing Spartina alterniflora (smooth cord grass) from each of three restored sites and one undisturbed reference site in southwestern Louisiana to assess the impact of wetland restoration on genetic diversity. We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to produce 94 polymorphic genetic markers, which were used to characterize genetic diversity as average heterozygosity and the proportion of polymorphic loci

. Overall our findings indicate that restored populations of S. alterniflora maintain levels of genetic diversity comparable to natural populations, which should provide some measure of resistance against environmental disturbances. Diversity estimates were lowest for the natural reference site ( = 0.1059;

= 0.2763), whereas estimates for the three restored sites ranged from < H > = 0.1148 to 0.1256 and

= 0.3114 to 0.3202. All sites maintained sufficiently high diversity levels to suggest significant rates of outcrossing. Overall, genetic differentiation among populations was small (Weir and Cockerham's Θ = 0.0645), with the values from each pairwise comparison among the populations increasing with the geographic distance between sites (range = 0.0490–0.1101). These values indicate an average migration rate of 3.6 migrants, either pollen or seeds, per generation.     

GENETIC DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN CAMELLIA JAPONICA L. (THEACEAE)

Camellia japonica is a widespread and morphologically diverse tree native to parts of Japan and adjacent islands. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to score allelic variation at 20 loci in seeds collected from 60 populations distributed throughout the species range. In comparison with other plant species, the level of genetic diversity within C. japonica populations is very high: 66.2% of loci were polymorphic on average per population, with a mean number of 2.16 alleles per locus; the mean observed and panmictic heterozygosities were 0.230 and 0.265, respectively. Genotypic proportions at most loci in most populations fit Hardy-Weinberg expectations. However, small heterozygote deficiencies were commonly observed (mean population fixation index = 0.129). It is suggested that the most likely cause of the observed deficiencies is population subdivision into genetically divergent subpopulations. The overall level of population differentiation is greater than is typically observed in out-breeders: The mean genetic distance and identity (Nei's D and I) between pairs of populations were 0.073 and 0.930, respectively, and Wright's Fst was 0.144. Differences among populations appeared to be manifested as variation in gene frequencies at many loci rather than variation in allelic composition per se. However, the patterns of variation were not random. Reciprocal clinal variation of gene frequencies was observed for allele pairs at six loci. In addition, principal components analysis revealed that populations tended to genetically cluster into four regions representing the geographic areas Kyushu, Shikoku, western Honshu, and eastern Honshu. There was a significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance (r = 0.61; P < 0.01). Analysis of variance on allozyme frequencies showed that there was approximately four times as much differentiation among populations within regions, as among regions. It is likely that the observed patterns of population relationships result from the balance between genetic drift in small subpopulations and gene flow between them.     

基于SSR标记的大明松天然群体遗传多样性分析

大明松是广西和贵州特有的高山松类,具有很高的经济价值和生态价值,其自然种群长期没有得到充分的保护和利用,不利于该树种长期稳定发展。为了合理保护和开发利用大明松天然遗传资源,该文利用12个SSR分子标记对大明松3个天然群体进行遗传多样性研究,分析其群体间的遗传分化和基因流,为该物种的保护策略提供参考。研究结果表明:(1)12对引物共检测到37 个等位基因,多态位点百分率为100%。每个位点平均观察等位基因数(Na)为3.08,平均有效等位基因数(Ne)为1.68, 不同位点间有效等位基因数差异较大; 每个位点平均观察杂合度(Ho)为0.35,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.40,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.31。(2)3 个群体的Shannon''s多样性指数变化范围为0.48～0.65,Nei''s基因多样度的变化范围为0.27～0.39,与其他近缘种松类相比遗传多样性偏低。群体平均观察杂合度为0.40,平均期望杂合度为0.33,平均有效等位基因数为1.58。群体间基因分化系数(Gst)为0.10,群体间的遗传分化水平较低,大部分变异均存在群体内。群体间的基因流(Nm)为2.74,说明大明松群体间的基因交流比较充分。该研究可为大明松生物多样性保护提供重要参考依据,为科学利用大明松资源打下基础。     

Microsatellite diversity among the primitive tribes of India

The present study was undertaken to determine the extent of diversity at 12 microsatellite short tandem repeat (STR) loci in seven primitive tribal populations of India with diverse linguistic and geographic backgrounds. DNA samples of 160 unrelated individuals were analyzed for 12 STR loci by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gene diversity analysis suggested that the average heterozygosity was uniformly high ( >0.7) in these groups and varied from 0.705 to 0.794. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that these populations were in genetic equilibrium at almost all the loci. The overall G(ST) value was high (G(ST) = 0.051; range between 0.026 and 0.098 among the loci), reflecting the degree of differentiation/heterogeneity of seven populations studied for these loci. The cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling of genetic distances reveal two broad clusters of populations, besides Moolu Kurumba maintaining their distinct genetic identity vis-à-vis other populations. The genetic affinity for the three tribes of the Indo-European family could be explained based on geography and Language but not for the four Dravidian tribes as reflected by the NJT and MDS plots. For the overall data, the insignificant MANTEL correlations between genetic, linguistic and geographic distances suggest that the genetic variation among these tribes is not patterned along geographic and/or linguistic lines.     

云南金钱槭 等位酶 遗传多样性 生境片段化 保育策略

云南金钱槭（Dipteronia dyeriana）是我国特有的国家Ⅱ级重点保护珍稀濒危植物,仅分布于云南的文山、屏边和蒙自三县交界地区。采用水平切片淀粉凝胶电泳等位酶分析方法,对采自三个县的天然居群的63个样品进行了遗传多样性检测。8个酶系统的13个等位基因位点分析表明,云南金钱槭的遗传多样性水平低,其平均多态位点百分率P=15.4%,每位点平均等位基因数A=1.2,平均预期杂合度He=0.064,各居群都偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,杂合子过量,居群间的基因分化系数GST=0.099,遗传变异主要发生在居群内（90.1%）,居群间分化较小,居群间遗传一致度较高（I=0.985～1）,具有一定的基因流（Nm=2.669）。不加权对平均法（UPGMA）聚类可将4个居群分为两支,水头箐居群和马家寨居群亲缘关系最近,聚类后与黑洞居群形成一支再和中槽子居群聚类,这与其地理分布格局大致吻合。据此提出了关于云南金钱槭保育策略的建议。     

Allozyme diversity in natural populations of Viola palmensis Webb & Berth. (Violaceae) from La Palma (Canary Islands): implications for conservation genetics

Genetic diversity was measured by allozyme electrophoresis in eight natural populations of the threatened Canarian endemic Viola palmensis Webb & Berth. (Violaceae). Nineteen alleles corresponding to 11 gene loci were detected. High levels of genetic diversity were found, ranging from 36.3 to 45.4 % for the percentage of polymorphic loci (P), from 1.45 to 1.60 for the average number of alleles per locus (A) and from 0.128 to 0.200 for the expected heterozygosity (H(e)). Between 85.5 and 96.6 % of genetic variability was apportioned within populations. As a whole, populations were not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with a deficit of heterozygous individuals attributable to the existence of genetic structuring in the populations analysed. The levels of interpopulation genetic differentiation were low (mean F(ST) = 0.100), while genetic identity pair-wise comparisons were high (mean I = 0.973) suggesting considerable levels of gene flow among populations. No relationship was detected between genetic differentiation and geographical distances between populations. An outcrossing insect-mediated breeding system might contribute to pollen dispersion of this species. For conservation genetics we suggest in situ preservation areas are defined that are free of disturbance and that include populations with the highest genetic diversity.     

Microsatellite and mitochondrial haplotype diversity reveals population differentiation in the tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in the Indo-Pacific region

The black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is an ecologically and economically important penaeid species and is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. Here we investigated the genetic diversity of P. monodon (n = 355) from eight geographical regions by genotyping at 10 microsatellite loci. The average observed heterozygosity at various loci ranged from 0.638 to 0.743, indicating a high level of genetic variability in this region. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium caused by heterozygote deficiency were recorded for most loci and populations. Pairwise F(ST) and R(ST) values revealed genetic differentiation among the populations. Evidence from the assignment test showed that the populations in the West Indian Ocean were unique, whereas other populations examined were partially admixed. In addition, the non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated the presence of three geographic groups in the Indo-Pacific region, i.e. the African populations, a population from western Thailand and the remaining populations as a whole. We also sequenced and analysed the mitochondrial control region (mtCR) in these shrimp stocks to determine whether the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes show a similar pattern of genetic differentiation. A total of 262 haplotypes were identified, and nucleotide divergence among haplotypes ranged from 0.2% to 16.3%. Haplotype diversity was high in all populations, with a range from 0.969 to 1. Phylogenetic analysis using the mtCR data revealed that the West Indian Ocean populations were genetically differentiated from the West Pacific populations, consistent with the microsatellite data. These results should have implications for aquaculture management and conservation of aquatic diversity.     

Effect of white pine blister rust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cronartium ribicola</Emphasis>) and rust-resistance breeding on genetic variation in western white pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus monticola</Emphasis>)

Western white pine (Pinus monticola) is an economically and ecologically important species from western North America that has declined over the past several decades mainly due to the introduction of blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) and reduced opportunities for regeneration. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to assess the genetic variation in northern Idaho populations of western white pine (including rust-resistant breeding stock) in relation to blister rust. A total of 176 individuals from four populations was analyzed using 163 AFLP loci. Within populations, an average 31.3% of the loci were polymorphic (P), and expected heterozygosity (H(e)) was 0.123. Genetic differentiation values (G(st)) showed that 9.4% of detected genetic variation was explained by differences among populations. The comparison between the rust-resistant breeding stock and a corresponding sample derived from multiple natural populations produced similar values of P (35% vs. 34.4%) and H(e) (0.134 vs. 0.131). No apparent signs of a genetic bottleneck caused by rust-resistance breeding were found. However, a comparison of two natural populations from local geographic areas showed that the population with low pressure from blister rust had higher polymorphism and heterozygosity than the population that had experienced high mortality due to blister rust: P (30.7% vs. 25.1%) and H(e) (0.125 vs. 0.100), respectively. In addition, the population from low blister-rust pressure had twice as many unique alleles as the blister rust-selected population. The genetic distance and Dice's similarity coefficients among the four populations indicated that the local population that survived high blister-rust pressure was genetically similar to the rust-resistant breeding stock.     

Genetic Diversity in Cymophyllus fraserianus (Cyperaceae), a Rare Monotypic Genus

Cymophyllus fraserianus (Fraser's sedge) is a rare perennial evergreen herb found in late-successional forest communities in the Appalachian Mountains of the U.S. Genetic diversity was assessed at 19 allozyme loci for 12 populations sampled from the southern and central portions of the range of this primitive monotypic genus. Species variation was comparable to that found for other narrowly distributed species, although mean population genetic diversity was somewhat higher. Sixteen of the 19 loci (84%) were polymorphic, with a mean of 46% polymorphic within populations. On average, 2.7 alleles were detected per polymorphic locus. Genetic diversity within populations (Hep) averaged 0.113, whereas species' genetic diversity (Hes) was 0.131. Although a twofold range of within-population genetic diversity (Hep = 0.075-0.158) was found, less than 13% of the genetic variation was distributed among populations (G(ST) = 0.129). An indirect estimate of historical levels of gene flow (Nm = 1.69) was consistent with the high mean genetic identity (mean I = 0.96) found between populations. Despite the relictual nature of C. fraserianus, its rarity and fragmented distribution, genetic diversity within the genus is typical of herbs with similar life-history characteristics. No association was found between geographic and genetic distances between populations (r = -0.01; p > 0.9), suggesting that present day populations are relatively isolated.     

采用微卫星标记分析10个双峰驼群体的遗传变异和群体间的遗传关系

为从分子水平上对我国双峰驼(Camelus bactrianus)群体的遗传多样性、群体间遗传关系、群体遗传分化及近交情况进行全面、系统地研究,为双峰驼种质资源保护和新品种培育提供基础数据,本文利用18对微卫星引物,分析了我国9个双峰驼群体和1个蒙古双峰驼群体的遗传多样性和遗传关系。结果显示:10个群体均具有较高的遗传多样性,共检测到242个等位基因,平均等位基因数为13.44,平均有效等位基因数为4.18,平均观察杂合度(Ho)为0.5528。10个群体间存在显著的遗传分化,有9.6%的遗传变异来自群体间,90.4%的遗传变异来自群体内部的个体间。聚类分析、主成分分析和群体遗传结构分析结果都表明10个群体被分成2个明显的分支,新疆4个群体单独聚为一类,剩下的6个群体聚为一类。这一结果可能与它们的地理分布和群体间的地理屏障有关。     

Genetic variation of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (Avicenniaceae) in Vietnam revealed by microsatellite and AFLP markers

Genetic variation of Avicennia marina in the costal area of Vietnam was examined using microsatellite and AFLP markers. By using five microsatellite loci a total of 21 alleles were detected. The average number of alleles per locus per population ranged from 1.667 to 3.000. The observed heterozygosity varied from 0.180 to 0.263, with an average of 0.210 indicating relatively low level of genetic variation comparing to the previous studies on A. marina in the worldwide range. The expected heterozygosity was larger than the observed heterozygosity leading to positive inbreeding coefficients in all the six populations. Highly significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium were detected in four populations. AFLP analysis revealed a total of 386 loci, of which 232 (60.1%) were polymorphic. In congruent with microsatellite markers relatively low levels of genetic variation were detected at both gene and nucleotide levels (H = 0.086; pi = 0.0054). Reduced level of genetic variation was found in the central population, and in the southern populations. Both microsatellite and AFLP markers revealed large genetic differentiation (F(ST) = 0.262 and 0.338, respectively) indicating strong genetic structure among regional populations. Pairwise genetic distance by AFLP showed two populations in the north and the other two in the south are closely related each other.     

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.