Genetic variation,breeding system evolution,and conservation of the narrow sand dune endemic Stellaria arenicola and the widespread S. longipes (Caryophyllaceae)

Genetic variation was examined by electrophoresis in 14 populations of Stellaria arenicola, an endemic of the Athabasca sand dunes in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, and seven populations of S. longipes, its progenitor. Three of the 5. longipes populations were sympatric with the endemic. Populations of the endemic were found to have fewer alleles per polymorphic locus (2.21 vs. 2.37), fewer polymorphic loci (29.9 vs. 33.8), and lower genetic diversity (0.087 vs. 0.107) than populations of the progenitor. Genetic identities for all pairs of populations were high (0.932 to 1.000). The endemic had one novel allele and shared ten alleles with progenitor populations from the sand dunes that were not found in other populations of S. longipes. Populations of both species were found to partition most of their genetic variation within populations. An investigation of the multilocus outcrossing rates revealed that S. arenicola had higher rates of selling and biparental inbreeding than S. longipes. This study suggests that partial genetic isolation through a shift in the breeding system, in addition to previously reported strong directional selection, has been important in the sympatric evolution of the endemic S. arenicola. The close genetic relationship between populations of S. arenicola and S. longipes found on the Athabasca sand dunes supports the suggestion that the endemic evolved while sympatric to the gene pool of the progenitor species that is found presently in the region.     

GENETIC CONSEQUENCES OF AUTOPOLYPLOIDY IN TOLMIEA (SAXIFRAGACEAE)

Although there is an extensive literature on the genetic attributes of allopolyploids, very little information is available regarding the genetic consequences of autopolyploidy in natural populations. We therefore addressed the major predicted genetic consequences of autopolyploidy using diploid and tetraploid populations of Tolmiea menziesii. Individual autotetraploid plants frequently maintain three or four alleles at single loci: 39% of the 678 tetraploid plants exhibited three or four alleles for at least one locus. Heterozygosity was also significantly higher in autotetraploid populations than in diploid populations: H_° = 0.070 and 0.237 in diploid and tetraploid Tolmiea, respectively. Most of the genetic diversity in T. menziesii is maintained within populations (ratio of gene diversity within populations to mean total genetic diversity = 0.636). The total genetic diversity due to differentiation between the two cytotypes is only 0.055. Such a low degree of differentiation between cytotypes would be expected between a diploid and its autotetraploid derivative. Most diploid and all tetraploid populations examined are in genetic equilibrium. Diploid and tetraploid Tolmiea share three or four alleles at six of eight polymorphic loci. This suggests that either autotetraploid Tolmiea was formed via crossing of genetically different diploids (perhaps via a triploid intermediate) or autopolyploidy occurred more than once in separate individual plants, followed by later crossing of autotetraploids.     

Conservation of genetic diversity in British populations of the diploid endemic Coincya monensis ssp monensis (Isle of Man Cabbage): the risk of hybridisation with the tetraploid alien, Coincya monensis ssp cheiranthos

Coincya monensis is represented in the British flora by two, cytologically distinct subspecies. Coincya monensis ssp monensis is an endemic diploid with a coastal sand dune distribution that includes a number of isolated populations. Coincya monensis ssp cheiranthos is a tetraploid alien, well established in South Wales in early successional habitats. Both subspecies share similar life form traits, flowering times and pollinators. Cluster analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction based on sequences of the mitochondrial nad4 gene confirmed the distinction between alien and endemic taxa. Tetraploid populations carry more polymorphic RAPDs loci and their genetic diversity is partitioned more within than among populations. In contrast, C. monensis ssp monensis has a distinct population genetic structure. Analysis of the multilocus genetic data confirmed a structure of genetically isolated, endemic population clusters in Scotland, Arran, the Isle of Man and South Wales. Experimental hybridisation showed the two subspecies are interfertile. Multivariate analysis of RAPDs data resolved hybrids between alien and endemic clusters and hybrids contained a proportion of alien-specific polymorphic loci. Hybrids of alien maternal parentage contained the mitochondrial nad4 sequence characteristic of the alien subspecies. Since the alien subspecies can invade mobile sand dune communities from urban sites and compete for pollinators, there is a risk that alien and endemic populations will mix and introgress. Conservation of endemic genetic diversity in Britain will require protection for all C. monensis ssp monensis populations. Currently, the most disjunct endemic population in South Wales is most at risk from introgression.     

Genetic variation in sympatric populations of diploid and polyploid brine shrimp (Artemia parthenogenetica)

We examined genetic variation in sympatric diploid and polyploid brine shrimp Artemia parthenogenetica from each of three populations (China, Italy and Spain). Italian and Spanish tetraploids are closely related (I=0.964). Diploids and tetraploids within each of the two European populations are also closely related (mean I=0.905). Most alleles found in diploids also exist in sympatric polyploids. In contrast, the asexual Artemia (2N, 4N and 5N) in our study share few alleles with their close sexual relative, A. tunisiana (mean I=0.002). These results, as well as the work of other authors, strongly suggest that at least the tetraploid Artemia in our study have an autopolyploid origin.Clonal diversity of polyploid Artemia can be very high at least in some population. Both diploids and polyploids had low clonal diversities in the populations dominated by polyploids and high clonal diversities in the population dominated by diploids.The most common genotypes of sympatric diploid and polyploid Artemia frequently differed. Some alleles occurred only in diploids, while others were restricted to polyploids. These results suggest that polyploidy in Artemia has led to genetic divergence from diploid progenitors, and that ploidy-level variation must also be considered in developing an understanding of spatial and temporal allozyme polymorphism in asexual populations.     

Plants recently discovered in Scotland

Summary

Saxifraga rosacea is recorded and Poa scotica described new to Scotland. The position of segregate taxa or breeding units within several species complexes is clarified within Scotland: (a) the hexaploid cytotype within the mostly tetraploid Campanula rotundifolia; (b) diploid Hedera helix and tetraploid H. hibernica;, (c) diploid and tetraploid Deschampsia cespitosa, D. alpina and D. parviflora; (d) octoploid sub-species scotica within usually hexaploid Festuca rubra; (e) an octoploid mountain Agrostis; (f) fertile hexaploid Potentilla anserina; (g) an approximately triploid aneuploid Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. microphyllum.     

AUTOPOLYPLOIDY IN TOLMIEA MENZIESII (SAXIFRAGACEAE): GENETIC INSIGHTS FROM ENZYME ELECTROPHORESIS

Despite over 30 years of speculation, the genetic consequences of autopolyploid speciation are largely unknown. Evidence from several sources indicates that Tolmiea menziesii is one of the best documented examples of autopolyploidy in natural populations. As such, Tolmiea can serve as a model for providing insights into autopolyploid speciation. Data from enzyme electrophoresis indicate that tetrasomic inheritance operates in tetraploid Tolmiea. These data indicate that a chromosome can pair with any of its three homologous chromosomes. For all polymorphic loci, heterozygosity is substantially higher in tetraploid Tolmiea compared to the diploid cytotype. Furthermore, individual tetraploid plants can maintain as many as three or four alleles at a single locus. Enzyme multiplicity was also observed in tetraploid Tolmiea. For the dimeric enzyme PGI, individual tetraploid plants were identified at Pgi-2 that maintained three alleles, resulting in the production of six different enzymes. Although these genetic consequences of autopolyploidy had been predicted, they have not been previously demonstrated for an autotetraploid in nature. The increased heterozygosity and enzyme multiplicity observed may afford an autopolyploid greater genetic and biochemical versatility relative to its diploid progenitor. These findings suggest that tetrasomic inheritance provides a genetic avenue through which autopolyploid speciation can successfully occur.     

EVOLUTIONARY STUDIES OF ATRIPLEX: A RELIC GIGAS DIPLOID POPULATION OF ATRIPLEX CANESCENS

Growing on shifting sand dunes in central Utah is a small endemic population of a gigas form of A triplex canescens. Whereas normal A. canescens usually grows to a height of three to four feet and occasionally to five or six feet, the gigas form often reaches ten and sometimes twelve feet. All normal A. canescens so far examined (67 populations) have 2n = 36 chromosomes; the gigas form has 2n = 18 chromosomes. Several lines of evidence suggest that the gigas form is a relic diploid and the normal form is an autotetraploid derived from it. The growth rate of seedlings and new twigs is nearly twice as great in the diploid as in the tetraploid. Seed germination is faster and much better in the diploid. The tetraploid is reproductively isolated from the diploid because of a much earlier flowering period. The diploid plants possess many attributes which make them uniquely adapted to the drifting sand dune habitat.     

Population genetic diversity in the polyploid complex of wheatgrasses using isoenzyme and RAPD data

Thirty five bands (alleles) from six enzyme systems and fifty seven random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments were selected to analyse the genetic diversity of 33 polyploid wheatgrasses (Triticeae) populations of species Thinopyrum junceiforme and Elytrigia pycnantha, and two hybrids, one pentaploid and one novel 9-ploid. Dice’s similarity coefficient, the UPGMA-derived phenograms from RAPD, and allozymes markers showed that the clustering of wheatgrass populations was based on ploidy level. These markers had similar levels of diversity between populations, with high genetic similarity within the same ploidy-level and within population’s individuals. The tetraploid Th. junceiforme populations are closely related, with a large similarity distances varied from 0.8 to 1. Based on the isozyme and RAPD analyses, diploid taxa are related to polyploids with similarity coefficients 0.4.     

Genetic variation in Scandinavian Anthericum liliago (Anthericaceae): allopolyploidy, hybridization and immigration history

 We investigated patterns of isozyme variation and the hierarchic structure of genetic diversity in 25 Scandinavian populations of the lilioid herb, Anthericum liliago. Isozyme data suggest that tetraploid A. liliago has an allopolyploid origin and that A. ramosum may be one of its diploid progenitors. Two populations contained known or suspected hybrids between A. liliago and A. ramosum. Isozymes show that one population from S Sweden contains both triploid (hybrid) and tetraploid individuals whereas a putatively hybrid Danish population represents diploid A. liliago. There is an overall northward and eastward decline in allelic richness in the tetraploid populations, with the highest numbers of alleles in Denmark and SW Sweden. This pattern is consistent with a progressive loss of allelic variation during the species' postglacial colonization of Scandinavia. The between-population component of genetic diversity is 4% (compared with 12% in diploid A. ramosum), the between-region diversity component is 7% and 89% of the total diversity is stored within populations. Received March 13, 2002; accepted September 24, 2002 Published online: December 11, 2002     

POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE IN DIPLOID BLUEBERRY VACCINIUM SECTION CYANOCOCCUS (ERICACEAE)

Vaccinium section Cyanococcus comprises diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid species (x = 12) all of which are highly self-sterile. In order to assess the distribution of genetic variation within and among the diploids, population genetic analyses of allozyme data were conducted on three species: V. elliottii, V. myrtilloides, and V. tenellum. Populations were located throughout the range of these taxa in eastern North America. Data were collected at 20 loci, 12 of which are mendelian based on formal genetic analyses. Consistent with expectations for out-crossing taxa, these species exhibited high levels of variation within populations. Eighteen loci were polymorphic with the number and frequency of alleles varying among taxa. Mean values for the number of alleles per polymorphic locus, proportion of polymorphic loci, and expected heterozygosity were 2.8, 48.2, and 0.148, respectively. High infraspecific genetic identities exceeding 0.9 indicated that these taxa are homogeneous. All populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with slight heterozygote excess observed in V. myrtilloides and V. tenellum. Although total genetic diversity was lower than that observed for other predominantly out-crossing species, it was apportioned similarly. The majority could be attributed to differences among individuals within populations. Conspecific populations were relatively undifferentiated with genetic differentiation similar to other self-incompatible species.     

Genetic diversity in and phylogenetic relationships of the Brazilian endemic cotton,Gossypium mustelinum (Malvaceae)

Gossypium mustelinum, one of five tetraploid species in the cotton genus, is geographically restricted to a few states in NE Brazil. Allozyme analysis was used to assess levels and patterns of genetic diversity inG. mustelinum and its relationship to the other tetraploid species. Genetic variation was low, with only 6 of 50 loci examined being polymorphic, a mean of 1.14 alleles per locus and a mean panmictic heterozygosity of 0.08. These estimates are low relative to other tetraploid cotton species, but are typical of island endemics. Interpopulational genetic identities were uniformly high, lending support to the concept of there being only one wild species of Brazilian cotton. The limited allelic diversity observed was correlated with geographical distribution, although variability is so limited in the species that geographically marginal populations are electrophoretically ordinary. Phylogenetic and phenetic analyses demonstrate thatG. mustelinum is isolated among polyploid cotton species, occupying one of the three basal clades resulting from an early radiation of polyploid taxa subsequent to polyploid formation. We suggest thatG. mustelinum represents a paleoendemic that presently exists as a series of widely scattered, relictual populations. Despite several centuries of sympatric cultivation ofG. barbadense andG. hirsutum, there was little evidence of interspecific introgression of alleles from cultivated cottons intoG. mustelinum.     

Genetic diversity of natural and cultivated populations ofOenanthe javanica in Korea

Enzyme electrophoresis was used to estimate genetic diversity and population structure in natural and cultivatedOenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. In the six natural populations, 8 of the 22 loci showed polymorphisms. Cultivated populations had fewer alleles per locus (1.84 vs. 1.91), fewer effective alleles per locus (1.47 vs. 1.52), a lower percentage of polymorphic loci (42.3 vs. 50.0), and lower diversity (0.210 vs. 0.228) than did natural populations. These parameters of genetic diversity indicate that the cultivated populations are genetically depauperate relative to their presumptive progenitor, and that the domestication process has partly eroded the level of genetic variation of this species. Nevertheless, the diversity of this species has higher-than-average values compared with other species having similar life-history traits. We propose that the mix-mating system; perennial, high gene flow; and large population sizes are possible factors contributing to this high diversity, which seemed to increase with distance from the coastlines.     

Allozyme evidence for genetic autopolyploidy and high genetic diversity in tetraploid cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos (Ericaceae)

Polyploidy has been important in the evolution of angiosperms and may significantly affect population genetic diversity and structure. Nineteen isoenzyme loci were studied in diploid and tetraploid populations of Vaccinium oxycoccos (Ericaceae), and the results are compared with data previously reported for the related V. macrocarpon. Diploid V. oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon were readily discriminated based on their allozymic variation. No evidence for fixed heterozygosity was found in tetraploid V. oxycoccos. In contrast, all polymorphic loci exhibited both balanced and unbalanced heterozygotes, with some individuals exhibiting a pattern consistent with the presence of three alleles. These results support an autopolyploid origin for tetraploid V. oxycoccos. However, tetraploid V. oxycoccos possessed a suite of alleles not found in diploid V. oxycoccos; half of these alleles were shared with V. macrocarpon. This suggests that autotetraploid V. oxycoccos may have undergone hybridization with V. macrocarpon or that the autotetraploid retained the genetic variation present in an ancestral diploid species. Following theoretical expectations, proportion of polymorphic loci, mean number of alleles, and observed heterozygosity were significantly higher for the autotetraploid than for the diploid. Mean inbreeding (F(IS)) was similar for diploid and tetraploid V. oxycoccos. The latter exhibited population differentiation (F(ST)) exceeding both diploid species.     

Molecular and cytological analyses of Deschampsia cespitosa populations from Northern Ontario (Canada).

Deschampsia cespitosa is widely dispersed around the globe, particularly in the northern hemisphere. A high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions allows D. cespitosa to colonize and dominate plots of land that are uninhabitable by other plants. The main objective of the present study was to determine the degree of genetic variation and relatedness among D. cespitosa populations from heavy metal contaminated sites and uncontaminated sites in Northern Ontario, using RAPD markers. Genomic DNA samples from individual plants were analyzed using 35 oligonucleotides of random sequence. Twenty-eight of these primers allowed amplification of random polymorphic DNA (RAPD) loci. Overall, 90% of RAPD bands were polymorphic. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 72% of the variation could be attributed to individual differences within each of the populations. The within- and among-region variations accounted for 14 and 15% of the total molecular variance, respectively. Population-specific RAPD markers were identified. RAPD markers specific to D. cespitosa were isolated, cloned, and characterized. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a high level of aneuploidy in all the populations from Northern Ontario, with chromosome numbers varying from 2n = 18 to 2n = 26.     

Genetic diversity and morphological differentiation in Liatris helleri (Asteraceae), a threatened plant species

Liatris helleri (Asteraceae) is an insect-pollinated herbaceous perennial endemic to several high-elevation sites in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Allozymes were used to describe the genetic diversity and population structure in nine populations of this rare, federally listed species. Differences in leaf morphology were also examined for greenhouse-grown plants representing several populations. The proportion of the total genetic diversity found among populations, as indicated by the allozyme data, was 16%. Higher levels of population differentiation were found for differences in leaf shape; population of origin accounted for 37% of the variation in maximum leaf width, while families within populations accounted for 7%. In contrast to many endemic species, L. helleri maintains fairly high levels of genetic diversity. For the species, the percent polymorphic loci was 87.5, the average number of alleles at variable loci was 3.00 and the gene diversity was 0.276. Mean population values were percent polymorphic loci =58.4, mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus =2.59 and gene diversity =0.219. The estimated gene flow was low (Nm=0.85–1.32) and a relatively high correlation (r=0.55; p<0.005) was found between linear geographic and genetic distance. This suggests that the populations are partially isolated by distance, despite the limited range (<60 km) of the species. We recommend that population distinetiveness be maintained in restoration efforts.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Juniperus rigida (Cupressaceae) and Juniperus coreana

Enzyme electrophoresis was used to estimate genetic diversity and population structure of Juniperus rigida (Cupressaceae) and Juniperus coreana in Korea. In J. rigida, 16 of the 22 loci (72.7%) showed detectable polymorphism. Genetic diversity (0.224) was higher than average values for species with similar life history traits. The endemic species (J. coreana) was found to have fewer alleles per locus (1.39 vs. 1.61), fewer alleles per polymorphic locus (2.42 vs. 2.63), lower percent polymorphic locus (54.6 vs. 72.7%), and lower diversity (0.199 vs. 0.224) than J. rigida. These genetic diversity parameters indicated that J. coreana was genetically depauperate relative to its presumptive progenitor, J. rigida. Analysis of fixation indices showed a substantial deficiency of heterozygotes relative to Hardy–Weinberg expectations suggesting inbreeding in J. coreana. The G _ST values of J. rigida and J. coreana were 0.173 and 0.118 respectively. The indirect estimate of gene flow based on mean G _ST was moderate (Nm = 1.19 for J. rigida and 1.86 for J. coreana). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microsatellite allele sequencing in population analyses of the South American cactophilic species Drosophila antonietae (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Drosophila antonietae belongs to the Drosophila buzzatii cluster, a cactophilic group of species naturally endemic to South America. Morphological and genetic analyses indicate that its populations are the most homogenous in the cluster and that the diversity observed is mainly a result of variation within populations. Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were described for this species and used in the present study to investigate the genetic diversity of natural populations of D. antonietae by both length and sequence variation. The study aimed to understand how homoplasy and null alleles affect inferences about the population history of this species and to obtain an accurate interpretation of population inferences where these loci could be applied. The results provide useful information on the interpretation of genetic data derived from the microsatellite loci described for D. antonietae and on evolutionary aspects of cactophilic Drosophila. Importantly, the results indicate that size homoplasy and null alleles do not represent significant problems for the population genetics analyses because the large amount of variability at microsatellite loci compensate the low frequency of these problems in the populations. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100 , 573–584.     

PATTERNS OF REPRODUCTION,GENETIC DIVERSITY,AND GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION IN CALIFORNIA POPULATIONS OF THE GENICULATE CORALLINE ALGA LITHOTHRIX ASPERGILLUM (RHODOPHYTA)1

The reproductive composition and genetic diversity of populations of the red seaweed Lithothrix aspergillum Gray (O. Corallinales) were studied at three southern California sites (Shaw's Cove and Treasure Island, Laguna Beach; Indian Rock, Santa Catalina Island) and at a fourth site (Bodega Bay) located in northern California. Sexually reproducing populations were confined to southern California. Diploid individuals were numerically dominant over haploid (gametophytic) individuals at all sites. Intertidal and subtidal subpopulations from Shaw's Cove differed in their reproductive profiles. Most intertidal specimens found on emersed surfaces were densely branched, turf-forming, and bore tetrasporangial (68.6%), carposporangial (11.4%), or spermatangial (5.7%) conceptacles, reflecting a sexual life history; none produced asexual bispores. In contrast, 74.3% of the larger, loosely branched subtidal specimens bore bisporangial conceptacles indicative of asexual reproduction. Nearly 70% of the Indian Rock thalli showed no evidence of conceptacle formation. Only asexual, diploid bispore-producing thalli were obtained from the Bodega Bay site. Genetic diversity (mean number of alleles per locus, percent of polymorphic loci, and average expected heterozygosity) of diploid L. aspergillum populations varied with life-history characteristics and geographic location. A total of 30 alleles was inferred from zymograms of 16 loci examined by starch-gel electrophoresis; of these loci, 11 were polymorphic. The genetic diversity of sexual, diploid populations of L. aspergillum (alleles per locus [A/L] = 1.4-1.5; percent polymorphic loci [%P] = 37.5-50.0) was relatively high compared with other red seaweeds. Lowest diversity (A/L = 1.0; %P = 0.0) occurred in the exclusively asexual Bodega Bay population which consisted of genetic clones. All sexual L. aspergillum populations deviated significantly from Hardy-Wein-berg expectations due to lower than expected heterozygosity. Genetic differentiation (Wright's F_statistic [F_ST]; Nei's Genetic Distance [D]) among sexually reproducing southern California populations was low (F_ST= 0.030) on a local scale (ca. 5 km), suggesting high levels of gene flow, but high genetic differention (F_ST= 0.390 and 0.406) occurred among southern California populations separated by ca. 70 km. Very high genetic differentiation (F_ST= 0.583–0.683) was obtained between northern and southern California populations separated by 700–760 km. Our genetic and reproductive data suggest that the L. aspergillum population from Bodega Bay is sustained by perennation, vegetative propagation, or asexual reproduction by bispores and may represent an isolated remnant or a population established by a founder event.     

Morphological and genetic diversity within Pilosella hoppeana aggr. (Asteraceae) in Italy and taxonomic implications

Morphological variation, ploidy level and genetic diversity have been studied on 10 populations of the Pilosella hoppeana aggr. from the Alps, Abruzzo, Calabria and Sicily. Chromosome counts showed that the plants from Abruzzo and those from Sicily are tetraploid (2n = 36); they are assigned to P. hoppeana subsp. macrantha. The plants from the Alps (P. hoppeana subsp. hoppeana) and those from Calabria are diploid. The Calabrian populations, previously included in P. hoppeana subsp. macrantha, are shown to belong to a separate species, P. leucopsilon. The principal component analysis, based on 25 morphological characters, allowed distinguishing clearly four groups. An allozyme study using 10 enzyme systems revealed 7 polymorphic loci with a total of 20 alleles, some of them exclusive at regional level, others shared between populations showing similar morphological features. The genetic differentiation between populations was relatively high. The obtained dendrogram supports recognition of the morphologically defined taxa.     

Genetic diversity and environmental associations of wild wheat,Triticum dicoccoides,in Israel

Summary Allozyme variation in the tetraploid wild progenitor of wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, was studied for the proteins encoded by about 50 gene loci in 457 individuals representing 12 populations from Israel. Six spikelet morphological traits were measured in the same populations. The results indicate that: (a) 16 loci (= 32%) were monomorphic in all 12 populations, 15 loci (= 30%) were locally polymorphic, and 19 loci (= 38%) were regionally polymorphic. All polymorphic loci (but one) displayed high levels of polymorphism ( 10%). In Israel, the proportion of polymorphic loci per population, P, in wild wheat averaged 0.25 (range, 0.16–0.38), and the genetic diversity index, H_e averaged 0.07, (range, 0.03 – 0.12). (b) Altogether there were 110 alleles at the 50 putative loci tested (c) Genetic differentiation of populations included regional and local patterns: (i) The coefficients of genetic distance between populations were high (mean D = 0.10 range, 0.02 – 0.25), and indicated sharp genetic differentiation over short distances, (ii) Common ( 10%) but sporadic and localized alleles were frequent (76%), and (iii) Rare alleles were few (only 5 alleles). (d) The patterns of allozyme and spikelet variation in the wild gene pool were significantly correlated with, and partly predictable by, water factors, including those of precipitation, evaporation, and relative humidity as well as of soil type, (e) All six spikelet characters showed statistically significant variation among localities and (f) Allozymic variation was correlated with spikelet variation.These results suggest in T. dicoccoides: (i) the operation of natural selection in population genetic structure, (ii) local adaptive genetic differentiation caused by diversifying selection through climate and soil, and (iii) the guidelines for sampling these resources for use in wheat breeding programs.