滇东南硬叶兜兰核心种质区群体遗传结构

本研究选取国内主要种质采集区-滇东南石灰岩地区7个不同干扰居群为研究对象,旨在对其居群内和居群间遗传变异进行比较研究,以期对其保护措施的提出提供理论依据。通过利用SRAP标记对167个体的遗传多样性和遗传结构研究,结果表明：10对SRAP引物共扩增出288个位点,多态位点比率（PPB）达81.25%,香侬指数（I）为0.3709,在种水平上的具有较高遗传多样性;而居群水平上的多态位点比率仅为47.92%, 香侬指数为0.2348, 居群间平均Nei’s遗传距离为0.1268。经分子遗传变异方差分析（AMOVA）表明,有66.27%的遗传变异来源于居群内,居群间变异占总变异33.73%,此结果与遗传分化系数（Gst=0.3568）结果吻合,居群间基因流（Nm）为0.902, 不同地区间硬叶兜兰居群存在较高的遗传分化; 7个居群的UPGMA聚类在遗传相似性系数达0.863,聚为两支;经Mantel检测（r =0.298, P＞0.05）,表明居群间遗传距离与地理距离无显著相关性。居群当前较高的遗传分化与其交配系统有关,其次,外在因素：人为采集、生境破坏和片断化造成居群内遗传多样性的丧失,加剧居群间的遗传分化,再次,遗传漂变也是另一重要影响因素;此外,适应性进化亦可能加剧了居群间的遗传分化,而基因流对遗传分化的影响不大。     

广东高州7个普通野生稻居群遗传结构的SSR分析

利用32对SSR引物对来自全部7个自然居群的217份广东高州普通野生稻(简称“高野”)材料进行遗传结构、多样性和遗传聚类分析。结果表明, 高野各居群因遗传结构存在差异而相对独立, 但各居群之间由于存在基因渗透又具有一定的相似性。高野总体多样性指数(Ht)为0.65, 居群内的多样性(HS=0.431)略大于居群间的多样性(DS=0.392), 二者差异并不显著。居群间的遗传分化系数(GST)为0.611, 说明高野群体的遗传差异是由居群内和居群间的遗传分化共同作用的结果。其中A、B、E居群间, D、F、G居群间遗传相似性较高, C居群与其它居群之间存在较大差异。根据7个居群的遗传结构, 结合其地理分布状况, 认为遗传多样性最大的B和E居群以及遗传分化最小的C居群应作为重点对象进行保护。     

Genetic structure of Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae) populations in Brazil: implications for the in situ conservation of genetic resources

The distribution of the genetic variation within and among natural populations of A. ANGUSTIFOLIA growing in different regions in Brazil was assessed at microsatellite and AFLP markers. Both markers revealed high gene diversity ( H = 0.65; AR = 9.1 for microsatellites and H = 0.27; P = 77.8 % for AFLPs), moderate overall differentiation ( RST = 0.13 for microsatellites and FST = 0.10 for AFLPs), but high divergence of the northernmost, geographically isolated population. In a Bayesian analysis, microsatellite data suggested population structure at two levels: at K = 2 and at K = 3 in agreement to the geographical distribution of populations. This result was confirmed by the UPGMA dendrogram based on microsatellite data (bootstrap support > 95 %). Non-hierarchical AMOVA revealed high variation among populations from different A POSTERIORI defined geographical groups. The genetic distance between sample locations increased with geographical distance for microsatellites ( R = 0.62; P = 0.003) and AFLPs ( R = 0.32; P = 0.09). This pattern of population differentiation may be correlated with population history such as geographical isolation and postglacial colonization of highlands. Implications of the population genetic structure for the conservation of genetic resources are discussed.     

Species diversity and population density affect genetic structure and gene dispersal in a subtropical understory shrub

Aims The dispersal of pollen and seeds is spatially restricted and may vary among plant populations because of varying biotic interactions, population histories or abiotic conditions. Because gene dispersal is spatially restricted, it will eventually result in the development of spatial genetic structure (SGS), which in turn can allow insights into gene dispersal processes. Here, we assessed the effect of habitat characteristics like population density and community structure on small-scale SGS and estimate historical gene dispersal at different spatial scales.Methods In a set of 12 populations of the subtropical understory shrub Ardisia crenata, we assessed genetic variation at 7 microsatellite loci within and among populations. We investigated small-scale genetic structure with spatial genetic autocorrelation statistics and heterogeneity tests and estimated gene dispersal distances based on population differentiation and on within-population SGS. SGS was related to habitat characteristics by multiple regression.Important findings The populations showed high genetic diversity (H e = 0.64) within populations and rather strong genetic differentiation (F ′ ST = 0.208) among populations, following an isolation-by-distance pattern, which suggests that populations are in gene flow–drift equilibrium. Significant SGS was present within populations (mean Sp = 0.027). Population density and species diversity had a joint effect on SGS with low population density and high species diversity leading to stronger small-scale SGS. Estimates of historical gene dispersal from between-population differentiation and from within-population SGS resulted in similar values between 4.8 and 22.9 m. The results indicate that local-ranged pollen dispersal and inefficient long-distance seed dispersal, both affected by population density and species diversity, contributed to the genetic population structure of the species. We suggest that SGS in shrubs is more similar to that of herbs than to trees and that in communities with high species diversity gene flow is more restricted than at low species diversity. This may represent a process that retards the development of a positive species diversity–genetic diversity relationship.     

七筋菇自然居群的遗传结构分析

采用ISSR分子标记,对七筋菇(Clintonia udensis)17个居群的遗传多样性与遗传结构进行了研究。结果表明:七筋菇不同居群的多态位点百分率PPB为11.90%~59.52%,总的多态位点百分率PPB为98.8%,具有高的遗传多样性。Shannon多样性指数(0.6903)和基因分化系数(GST=0.6944)均揭示出七筋菇居群间存在明显的遗传差异,AMOVA分析结果也显示遗传变异主要发生在居群之间(81.47%),而居群内部的遗传变异仅为18.53%。七筋菇居群间的遗传距离从0.1871~0.6632,平均为0.3838,大于同一物种居群间的平均遗传距离值(0.05),同样表明七筋菇居群间的遗传多样性存在较大差异。七筋菇居群间的基因流Nm=0.2200,远远低于一般广布种植物的基因流(Nm=1.881)。Mantel检测显示居群间的遗传距离与地理距离之间没有显著相关性(r=0.029,P=0.3196)。七筋菇分布范围广以及其进化历史是其具有高遗传多样性的原因;居群间存在较高遗传变异可能是由于七筋菇本身的生物学特性、有限的基因流以及遗传漂变等原因造成的。     

姜状三七遗传多样性和遗传分化研究

利用5个DNA片段及12个微卫星标记（SSR）对姜状三七（Panax zingiberensis C.Y.Wu et K.W.Feng）的遗传多样性和遗传分化进行分析。结果显示，与其他人参属（Panax）植物相比：姜状三七具有相对较高物种水平的核苷酸多态性和等位基因数；在居群水平上，景谷居群具有最高的核苷酸多态性和等位基因数，而江城居群最低。AMOVA分析结果表明，姜状三七在物种水平上具有一定程度的遗传分化，但不显著；在居群水平，江城居群与其他居群间的分化程度最高，其他居群间遗传分化不明显。Structure分析结果也显示江城居群与其他居群被聚类到不同分组，且形态特征相近的样本并未聚到一起，同一分布点的样本遗传成分更相似。     

RAPD analysis of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Stipa krylovii Reshov. in Inner Mongolia steppe

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to characterize the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Stipa krylovii populations in Inner Mongolia steppe of North China. Thirteen 10 bp oligonucleotide primers, which generated 237 RAPD bands, were used to analyze 90 plants of five populations from three regions, meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe, from the east to the west. The genetic diversity of Stipa krylovii that was revealed by observed number of alleles (na), expected number of alleles (ne), Nei's diversity index (h), Shannon's diversity index (H), amplificated loci, polymorphic loci and the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPB) increased from the east to the west. The Pearson's correlation analysis between genetic diversity parameters and ecological parameters indicated that the genetic diversity of Stipa krylovii was associated with precipitation and cumulative temperature variations along the longitude (humidity were calculated by precipitation and cumulative temperature). Dendrogram based on Jaccard's genetic distance showed that the individuals from the same population formed a single sub-group. Although most variation (56.85%) was within populations, there was high genetic differentiation among populations of Stipa krylovii, high differentiation within and between regions by AMOVA analysis. Either Nei's unbiased genetic distance (G(ST)) or gene flow (Nm) among pairwise populations was not correlated with geographical distance by Mantel's test (P > 0.05), suggesting that there was no consistency with the isolation by distance model in these populations. Natural selection may have played a role in affecting the genetic diversity and population structure, but habitat destruction and degradation in northern grassland in China may be the main factor responsible for high genetic differentiation among populations, within and among regions.     

Genetic diversity of Lavandula multifida L. (Lamiaceae) in Tunisia: implication for conservation

The genetic variation within and among eight Tunisian natural populations of Lavandula multifida L., from different bioclimatic zones was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs). Of a total of 97 generated bands from seven selected primers, 84 bands were polymorphic. The genetic diversity within a population was high and varied according to the populations (0.308 < H’ < 0.459) without relationships to altitudes or pluviothermic indices of sites. The genetic differentiation among populations was high (G_ST = 0.395 and Φ_ST = 0.318). All population pairs were significantly differentiated. Among populations, within ecological groups genetic structure was high (0.219); whilst among them it was low (Φ_CT = 0.049; P < 0.05). The correlation between Φ_ST and geographic distance matrices among pairs of populations was not significant, suggesting that genetic connectivity between populations has a stochastic component at all spatial scales. The neighbour‐joining cluster analysis showed that individuals from each population clustered together. UPGMA cluster analysis showed that population groupings are not strictly in accordance with bioclimates or geographic location. The genetic differentiation in L. multifida could have occurred at local scales because of genetic drift. Efforts should be made to protect all populations. The maintenance of substantial population size should be initiated via fencing and controlling collection to restore the regeneration of populations.     

Microsatellite genetic variation in small and isolated populations of Magnolia sieboldii ssp. japonica

Magnolia sieboldii ssp. japonica, distributed mainly in western Japan, is restricted to high elevation areas (1000-2000 m above sea level) and usually forms small isolated populations. Four microsatellite loci were assayed for 19 populations from six regions spanning the range of distribution, and the levels and distribution of genetic variation were estimated. All four loci were variable, with a total of 39 alleles, but the overall level of microsatellite genetic variation was low, especially compared with a related species, M. obovata. Genetic structure in M. sieboldii was characterised by low intrapopulational genetic variation (A = 3.74 and H(o) = 0.366 on average) and high genetic differentiation even among regional populations. Highly significant isolation-by-distance (IBD) models at the short distance were detected. Genetic drift and limited gene flow was considered to be important in determining the genetic structure within regions. Total genetic differentiation was remarkably high (F(ST) = 0.488 and R(ST) = 0.538), suggesting genetic barriers among regions. Neighbour-joining dendrograms relating the 19 populations, and further analysis on the IBD models, revealed that a stepwise mutation model was more suited than an infinite allele model to explain the genetic differentiation among regions. It is suggested that mutation at microsatellite loci might be influential in generating the genetic differentiation among regions. These results showed the potential of hypervariable microsatellite loci to evaluate the effects of genetic drift and population isolation within regions, and to detect genetic distinctiveness, in spite of the loss of overall genetic variation in M. sieboldii.     

雌雄异株稀有植物伞花木(Eurycorymbus caraleriei)自然居群的等位酶遗传多样性研究

伞花木（Eurycorymbus caraleriei）为中国特有的第三纪孑遗单种属植物,雌雄异株。采用超薄平板微型聚丙烯酰胺等电聚焦电泳方法对其5个自然居群和1个人工迁地保护居群的等位酶变异进行了初步研究。对7个酶系统中14个位点的等位酶居群遗传多样性及遗传结构分析结果表明：伞花木具有较高水平的遗传多样性,其每位点平均等位基因数A=1．6,平均多态位点比率P=42．9％,平均预期遗传杂合度Hr=0．216;各居群的遗传多样性无显著性差异,但都表现为严重偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡的杂合子过量;其遗传变异主要发生在居群内（93．1％）,居群间分化较小（Gst=0．069）,居群问遗传一致度较高（I=0．965～1．000）。推断这可能是由于其古老孑遗性、雌雄异株、混和传粉方式的生物学特性以及其长寿命的生活史等原因所导致;同时,居群间的较高基因流（Nm=3．128）也可能起到很大的作用。还使用UPGMA聚类方法推断了武汉植物园迁地保护的野外居群来源,在对迁地保护居群的评价中发现迁地保护居群仅保存了该物种基因型多样性的16％,在此基础上提出了今后进一步的保育策略。     

Population genetic structure of Korean pen shell (Atrina pectinata) in Korea inferred from microsatellite marker analysis

The Korean pen shell Atrina pectinata is a commercially valuable species in Korea. The commercial catch of this fish has decreased continuously since 1990. However, its genetic characteristics have never been studied. In order to explore the population genetic structure of this species, 125 pen shells sampled from three major habitats along the western coast of Korea were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci. Relatively high levels of genetic variability (mean number of allelic richness (A_R) = 14.74; mean hetrerozygosity (He) = 0.849) was found among localities. However, despite the potential of the Korean pen shell to exhibit genetic structure (adults are sedentary), none of the genetic tests applied in this study detected significant genetic differentiation among the samples. The lack of genetic differentiation among samples may be due to high levels of larval dispersal, through passive drift with ocean currents. Alternatively, populations may have diverged too recently for significant genetic differentiation to have become evident. Furthermore, small sample sizes and the limited number of samples may have hampered the detection of genetic structure. The results of this study therefore suggested a lack of genetic structure among the populations of pen shell of Korean waters and should be managed as a single unit. This information on the genetic characteristics of Korean pen shell populations has important implications for the sustainable exploitation of the fishing resources and the preservation of biodiversity.     

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.     

贺兰山丁香自然居群克隆生长格局及遗传多样性的ISSR分析

运用ISSR分子标记技术,通过制定挖掘采样、"+"形采样及"垂直"采样3种采样方案,对贺兰山丁香(Syringa pinnatifolia var.alanshanica)不同居群的克隆多样性、克隆生长格局及其遗传多样性进行了分析.克隆多样性分析表明:挖掘采样方式采到的3个克隆系内,各自所包含的单株间具有完全相同的基因型;"垂直"采样及"+"形采样的7个居群、 239个样品表现出136个不同的基因型或克隆,显示贺兰山丁香具有较高的克隆多样性(D=0.994)及基因型分布均匀性(E=0.985).克隆生长空间格局分析表明,贺兰山丁香为密集型克隆植物.每个居群都由多克隆组成,克隆生长只发生在同一丛内,多数基株只含有1个分株,最多可达8个.物种水平上的平均克隆大小(N_C)和平均基因型比例(PD)分别为1.757和0.569.对贺兰山丁香遗传多样性分析的结果显示,在居群水平和物种水平上都保持着较高的遗传多样性,其遗传变异主要存在于居群内;但居群间分化程度较低(G_ST=0.320),表明自然居群间基因交流有限.     

Allozyme variation and population genetic structure of common wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff. in China

In order to determine the genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations in common wild rice Oryza rufipogon, an endangered species, allozyme diversity was analyzed using 22 loci in 607 individuals of 21 natural populations from the Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces in China. The populations studied showed a moderate allozyme variability (A=1.33, P=22.7%, Ho=0.033 and He=0.068), which was relatively high for the genus Oryza. The levels of genetic diversity for Guangxi and Guangdong were significantly higher than those for the other regions, and thus South China appeared to be the center of genetic diversity of O. rufipogon in China. A moderate genetic differentiation (F_ST=0.310, I=0.964) was found among the populations studied. Interestingly, the pattern of population differentiation does not correspond to geographic distance. An estimate of the outcrossing rate (t=0.324) suggests that the species has a typical mixed-mating system. The deficit of heterozygotes (F=0.511) indicates that some inbreeding may have taken place in outcrossing asexual populations because of intra-clone outcrossing events and ”isolation by distance” as a result of human disturbance. In order to predict the long-term genetic survival of fragmented populations, further studies on gene flow among the remaining populations and the genetic effects of fragmentation are proposed. Finally, some implications for the conservation of endangered species are suggested. Received: 22 June 1999 / Accepted: 20 December 1999     

濒危植物长叶榧群体遗传多样性的RAPD分析

借助随机扩增多态DNA方法,分析了中国特有的濒危植物长叶榧的遗传多样性和遗传分化．结果表明：12个随机引物在9个长叶榧自然群体180个样品中可检测到180个可重复位点,其中多态位点119个．长叶榧物种水平的遗传多样性较高,多态位点百分率（P）为66．11％,Shannon信息指数（,）为0．3087,Nei指数（h）为0．2015;而群体水平的遗传多样性较低,P、I和h分别平均为23．76％、0．1221和0．0813．AMOVA分子变异显示,42．57％变异来源于群体内,57．43％变异来源于群体间,群体间的遗传分化系数（Gst）为0．5965,群体间的遗传分化程度高．长叶榧群体间的基因流很低,为0．3382．瓶颈效应、群体隔离和群体间基因流低等因素都加剧了长叶榧群体间的遗传分化．9个长叶榧群体间的平均遗传距离为0．1630．通过UPGMA进行聚类,可将9个长叶榧群体分为浙江和福建两大类群．建议在迁地保护时应尽量避免在群体之间实施种质迁移．     

High genetic diversity vs. low genetic differentiation in Nouelia insignis (Asteraceae), a narrowly distributed and endemic species in China, revealed by ISSR fingerprinting

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nouelia insignis Franch., a monotypic genus of the Asteraceae, is an endangered species endemic in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces of China. Most of the populations are seriously threatened. Some of them are even at the brink of extinction. In this study, the genetic diversity and differentiation between populations of this species were examined in two drainage areas. METHODS: DNA fingerprinting based on inter-simple sequence repeat polymorphisms was employed to detect the genetic variation and population structure in the species. KEY RESULTS: Genetic diversity at species level was high with P=65.05% (percentage of polymorphic loci) and Ht=0.2248 (total genetic diversity). The coefficient of genetic differentiation among populations, Gst, which was estimated by partitioning the total gene diversity, was 0.2529; whereas, the genetic differentiation between populations in the Jinsha and Nanpan drainage areas was unexpectedly low (Gst=0.0702). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the genetic analyses of the DNA fingerprinting, recent habitat fragmentation may not have led to genetic differentiation or the loss of genetic diversity in the rare species. Spatial apportionment of fingerprinting polymorphisms provides a footprint of historical migration across geographical barriers. The high diversity detected in this study holds promise for conservation and restoration efforts to save the endangered species from extinction.     

承德光秃山不同海拔油松居群遗传多样性

为了解光秃山不同海拔下天然油松居群之间的遗传差异及探求遗传多样性与土壤因子的关联,为油松种源筛选和管理提供参考,本研究运用ISSR技术,对位于河北承德辽河源光秃山4个不同海拔油松天然居群共118个植株个体的遗传多样性进行分析。13个引物共扩增出177条清晰的条带,种群多态位点百分比(PPL)为60.2775%,Nei’s基因多样性指数(h)为0.2171,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.3222;不同种群遗传变异水平随海拔差异呈规律性变化,表现为沿海拔升高而呈低-高-低的分布规律,其中1354～1274 m范围的遗传多样性水平最高;在物种水平上油松具有较高的遗传多样性(PPL=98.33%,h=0.38142,I=0.5550),种群间的遗传分化系数Gst=0.6562。利用AMOVA软件对遗传变异的等级剖分结果表明,种群间有显著的遗传分化,约2/5的遗传变异存在种群间,种群内占3/5。Pearson相关分析表明,油松居群内遗传多样性与海拔、土壤养分(有机质、速效磷、速效钾含量)之间存在显著或一定的相关关系。Mantel检验结果显示,油松居群遗传距离与海拔差距、土壤养分因子的分异存在一定相关性。以上结果表明不同海拔区域的生态因子、低基因流等对油松居群间的遗传分化影响较大。     

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。     

基于ISSR数据探讨卷叶凤尾藓(Fissidens dubius P.Beauv.)遗传多样性

卷叶凤尾藓(Fissidens dubius P.Beauv.)是凤尾藓科凤尾藓属植物,该种分布广泛,形态变异强烈。为了解其遗传多样性及种群遗传结构特点,本研究利用ISSR分子标记对采集于浙江、福建、广西、四川、辽宁5个省区的卷叶凤尾藓14个自然种群的遗传多样性进行了评价。结果显示:筛选出的12对引物共扩增出259条清晰、重复性高的条带,其中多态性位点有248个,多态位点百分率为95.75%;种群总的Nei's基因多样性指数为0.2327,Shannon's信息指数为0.3701,说明卷叶凤尾藓遗传多样性水平较高;14个种群的遗传分化系数(Gst)为0.7078,种群间的基因流(Nm)为0.1864,表明大部分遗传变异(72.01%)存在于种群间,27.99%的遗传变异存在于种群内,即卷叶凤尾藓种群间遗传分化明显。基于ISSR数据的聚类分析表明,在遗传距离50为分组阈值处,14个种群可被分为6组(G1~G6):G1为来自于浙江省不同采集地点的8个种群(JHBS除外);G2由浙江金华北山种群(JHBS)组成;G3包括福建武夷山(WYS)和天宝岩种群(TBY);G4、G5、G6分别由广西龙胜县花坪种群(GX)、四川龙池种群(LC)、辽宁白石砬子保护区种群(BSLZ)组成,表明卷叶凤尾藓种群间的遗传分化主要由地理距离造成,种群内的遗传分化可能与其生境的异质性有关。     

Geographic patterns in the reproductive ecology of Agave lechuguilla (Agavaceae) in the Chihuahuan desert. II. Genetic variation, differentiation, and inbreeding estimates

Plants with natural variation in their floral traits and reproductive ecology are ideal subjects for analyzing the effects of natural selection and other evolutionary forces on genetic structure of natural populations. Agave lechuguilla shows latitudinal changes in floral morphology, color, and nectar production along its distribution through north-central Mexico. Both the type and abundance of its pollinators also change with latitude. Using starch electrophoresis, we examined the levels and patterns of variation of 13 polymorphic allozyme loci in 11 populations of A. lechuguilla. The overall level of genetic variability was high (H(e) = 0.394), but the levels of genetic variation had no geographic pattern. However, the southern populations exhibited an excess of heterozygotes in relation to expectations for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas the northern populations had an excess of homozygotes. Total differentiation among populations was low (θ = 0.083), although gene flow estimates (Nm) varied among groups of populations: southern populations had the lowest levels of genetic differentiation, suggesting high levels of gene flow; northern populations had greater levels of genetic differentiation (θ = 0.115), suggesting low gene flow among them. The patterns and inferences of the genetic structure of the population at the molecular level is consistent with variation in floral traits and pollinator visitation rates across the range of the species.