草履蚧不同寄主和地理种群遗传分化的RAPD分析

应用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术对草履蚧保定、石家庄、邯郸16个不同寄主地理种群遗传多样性和种群分化进行研究,结果显示4个RAPD引物共扩增出41个多态性位点,多态位点比率为100%。遗传距离指数在0.701—0.4360,平均为0.2395。其中以邯郸枫杨和邯郸垂丝海棠为寄主的草履蚧种群遗传距离最小(0.0701);以石家庄紫叶李和邯郸木槿为寄主的种群遗传距离最大(0.4360)。遗传一致度系数在0.6466—0.9290。说明草履蚧不同种群遗传多样性丰富并存在遗传差异。聚类分析结果表明草履蚧种群遗传多样性同时受到寄主和地理因素的双重影响,且不同寄主草履蚧种群已产生明显的遗传分化。     

Genetic comparisons of New and Old World coregonid fishes*

The genetic relationships among New and Old World coregonid fishes were studied by electrophoresis. The genetic composition of 60 populations, representing perhaps nine commonly recognized species of Coregonus and Stenodus from Europe and North America was determined for 37 genetic loci. Six distinct genetic groups were evident. The first contained only populations of the inconnu, Stenodus leucichthys (Güldenstadt). The Nei genetic distance between Stenodus and Coregonus was 0.305, a relatively small value as compared to other salmonid inter-generic comparisons. The second genetic grouping contained the Arctic cisco, C. autumnalis (Pallas), the N. American lake cisco, C. artedii Lesueur, and the Irish pollan, C. autumnalis pollan Thompson. These three taxa appear to be conspecific on the basis of genetic distances. The third genetic grouping contained the European whitefish, C. lavaretus (L.), and the N. American lake whitefish, C. clupeaformis (Mitchill). European and lake whitefish may be conspecific. Lake whitefish from northwestern N. America were more closely related to European whitefish (genetic distance 0.038) than to lake whitefish from central N. America (genetic distance 0.098). The fourth group contained the broad whitefish, C. nasus (Pallas), which is perhaps more closely related to the European/lake whitefish groups than other coregonids. The fifth genetic grouping contained only the Asian endemic, C. peled (Gmelin), and the sixth contained the least cisco, C. sardinella Valenciennes, and vendace, C. albula (L.), which also appear to be conspecific. The widespread genetic groupings obtained for ciscoes indicate that they do not constitute a single closely related group within the genus Coregonus.     

硬核资源遗传多样性的AFLP分析

为了解云南省硬核[Scleropyrum wallichianum（Wight et Arn.）Arn.]的遗传多样性,采用AFLP标记分析了7个居群84份种质材料的遗传变异。结果表明,从64对引物组合中挑选出多态性较好的引物8对,共扩增出1 728条带,其中多态性条带1 388条,多态性百分率为80.14%。硬核在物种水平的多样性指数分别为Na=1.416,Ne=1.179,H=0.137,I=0.225,在居群水平上分别为H=0.111,I=0.175;在遗传相似性系数为0.52时,这些种质材料可分为3组,其中易武居群具有丰富的遗传变异,大部分的遗传变异存在于居群内,而在0.05置信区间内居群间遗传变异仅为11.5%;居群间的遗传距离和地理距离无显著相关性（r=0.0323,P=0.5820）。因此,硬核资源可采用就地和迁地保护策略,以增加其遗传多样性。     

Genetic footprints of habitat fragmentation in the extant populations of Sinojackia (Styracaceae): implications for conservation

Sinojackia, a member of the family Styracaceae, is an endangered genus endemic to China. The number of populations and population size of Sinojackia have decreased sharply because of habitat fragmentation and destruction. We studied the genetic diversity of extant populations in two different cohorts (adult and seedling) using eight microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic footprints of habitat fragmentation in four recognized Sinojackia spp. and to develop appropriate conservation measures. Data on intrapopulational genetic diversity suggest that Sinojackia populations have maintained relatively high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of genetic differentiation despite severe fragmentation. The high genetic diversity may be explained by the outcrossing mating system and high longevity of Sinojackia spp. The amount of genetic variation is not associated with population size, which was also supported by bottleneck analysis. In the species studied, there was no significant difference in the genetic diversity between the two cohorts analysed. However, inbreeding increased from adult trees to seedling populations, suggesting that the higher proportion of biparental inbreeding in the recent generations of seedlings is the result of restricted current genetic flow caused by habitat fragmentation. Average seed set per population was not significantly correlated with either population size or genetic diversity. Conservation management should aim to monitor inbreeding and outbreeding depression carefully to ensure the in situ and ex situ conservation of Sinojackia spp. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ?? , ??–??.     

人工砍伐后短柄枹栎的居群遗传重建研究

为探讨人工砍伐后短柄枹栎(Quercus glandulifera var.brevipetiolata Nakai)居群的遗传关系,采用SSR分子标记技术,对短柄枹栎天然林中的4个次生林居群的遗传多样性、遗传结构进行研究。结果表明,筛选的7对SSR引物在4个居群内共揭示了101个等位基因。砍伐后恢复20年(20YAH)的短柄枹栎居群的遗传多样性最高,而砍伐后恢复1年(1YAH)和10年(10YAH)的遗传多样性相对较低。从长远来看,试验地居民特殊的砍伐习惯不会造成短柄枹栎天然林遗传多样性的变化。     

Genetic structure of three populations of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Implications for genetic management

One of the prime concerns at zoos and at primate breeding facilities is to maintain genetic variability. This can be accomplished by avoiding inbreeding. It is relatively easy to assess genetic variability and the level of inbreeding by using pedigree information and genetic markers. In this study we used genetic markers controlled by 6 independent polymorphic loci (GPI, PGD, CA2, MPI, DIA1, Tf) to ascertain genetic variation in two captive and one wild population of rhesus monkeys. Two other loci ADA and NP were also examined and found to be monomorphic in the three populations. F-statistics and contingency chi-square analyses indicated that there was significant genetic differentiation among the populations. We also found that the mean heterozygosities were very similar in the three populations, in spite of the diverse breeding strategies. These data are important because rhesus monkeys are frequently used for biomedical research; and the genetic markers provide useful information for genetic management of captive colonies of nonhuman primates. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

地理因素对箭竹复合体遗传多样性与遗传分化的影响

地理因素对植物天然居群的物种分布和种内分化具有重要影响。该研究通过对箭竹复合体内39个居群的14对SSR数据进行深入分析,旨在揭示重要地理因素(如海拔、纬度、地理距离)对该复合体内遗传多样性和遗传分化式样的影响。结果表明:(1)糙花箭竹亚支系遗传多样性最高(H_e=0.50),而团竹亚支系的遗传多样性最低(H_e=0.33)。(2)遗传多样性与纬度、海拔在A、B两个支系水平呈显著正相关关系,但在亚支系水平,遗传多样性的变化趋势呈现出更为复杂的局面,部分支系表现为负相关关系,推测纬度和海拔对箭竹复合体内遗传多样性水平具有一定影响,但也需重视其他进化因素的作用。(3)Mantel检验显示,仅在团竹亚支系中检测出较弱的正相关关系,表明地理距离不是影响箭竹复合体内遗传分化的主导因素,后续需结合基因流检测推断杂交事件对其遗传分化的影响。     

Genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana</Emphasis> species of the Ordos Plateau in China

Plants of the genus Caragana (Fabaceae) are dominant shrub species of high ecological and economic importance on the Ordos Plateau in China. Due to natural environmental variability and anthropogenic impacts, Caragana pastures have experienced severe degradation, which has decreased their carrying capacity. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of eight Caragana species (C. purdomii, C. opulens, C. stenophylla, C. intermedia, C. korshinskii, C. roborovskyi, C. tibetica and C. brachypoda) on the Ordos Plateau by using ISSR markers. The results reveal high genetic diversity of all the species, with the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) reaching 100%. However, interspecific differences in genetic diversity within the genus were significant, as indicated by higher levels of genetic diversity of C. stenophylla, C. tibetica, C. intermedia, C. korshinskii and C. roborovskyi (PPB > 86%) when compared to the C. brachypoda with the lowest genetic diversity (PPB = 42.86%). Caragana brachypoda showed the lowest genetic similarity with and largest genetic distance from other taxa of the genus. Caragana tibetica had higher genetic diversity than C. roborovskyi. A large genetic distance was found between C. roborovskyi and C. tibetica, although the two species belong to Ser. Tragacanthoides and grow in a semidesert area. Such differences in genetic structure may be the reason for large areas occupied by C. tibetica, whereas C. roborovsky has rather limited distribution in the semidesert area. Caragana intermedia had high genetic diversity and a large genetic differentiation between intraspecific populations implying strong adaptability of the species to environmental fluctuations and selection capabilities. There was an obvious gene flow between C. intermedia and C. korshinskii, suggesting possible hybridization between these species is consistent with ecological variability, which may be important characteristics of Caragana plants in terms of molecular variation in the ecotone of Ordos plateau. Our results provide a molecular basis for sustainable management, utilization and conservation of Caragana plants on the Ordos plateau.     

Low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation in the critically endangered Omphalogramma souliei (Primulaceae): implications for its conservation

Omphalogramma souliei Franch. is an endangered perennial herb only distributed in alpine areas of SW China. ISSR markers were applied to determine the genetic variation and genetic structure of 60 individuals of three populations of O. souliei in NW Yunnan, China. The genetic diversity at the species level is low with P=42.5% (percentage of polymorphic bands) and Hsp=0.1762 (total genetic diversity). However, a high level of genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on different measures (Nei's genetic diversity analysis: Gst=0.6038; AMOVA analysis: Fst=0.6797). Low level of genetic diversity within populations and significant genetic differentiation among populations might be due to the mixed mating system in which xenogamy predominated and autogamy played an assistant role in O. souliei. The genetic drift due to small population size and limited current gene flow also resulted in significant genetic differentiation. The assessment of genetic variation and differentiation of the endangered species provides important information for conservation on a genetic basis. Conservation strategies for this rare endemic species are proposed.     

Intra-Population Genetic Structure of Oryza rufipogon Griff. in Yunnan, China

Oryza rufipogon Griff., allozyme analysis was conducted using 22 loci on a typical population from Yunnan Province, China. Non-random distribution of genotypes and/or genetic variability was found among three subpopulations, and the result was further demonstrated by considerable genetic differentiation observed (F _ST =0.206) within the population. Microhabitat selection may not be an important factor in shaping intra-population genetic structure, and restricted gene flow (N _m =0.964<1) and genetic drift act together towards a genetic subdivision within the population. This genetic subdivision may enhance inbreeding and will ultimately lead to genetic depletion within the predominantly outcrossing (t=0.830) perennial population, and therefore, more attention should be paid to the conservation and genetic management of the population. Received 25 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 31 August 2000     

湿地松×洪都拉斯加勒比松遗传多样性的ISSR分析

杂交育种是产生遗传变异、表型变异及选择新变异的重要方法。然而系统发育不清晰,选择较近的亲缘关系亲本用于杂交子代往往表现出较低的遗传多样性。为探究湿地松、洪都拉斯加勒比松种间杂交后代遗传多样性水平,对8个湿地松×洪都拉斯加勒比松家系进行ISSR分析。利用10条引物共产生60个表达清晰可用于分析的标记,其中48个标记表现为多态性,占总标记数的80%; 湿加松各个家系多态位点百分率在5%～23.33%之间; 各个家系基因多样性指数在 0.015 2～0.087 2之间,Shannon指数的范围在 0.021 6～0.129 4之间(家系水平为 0.293 4)。8个家系间的基因分化系数G_st为0.743 5,即总的遗传变异中有74.35%的变异存在于家系间,家系内的遗传变异占总遗传变异的25.65%。采用UPGMA法对湿加松的8个家系进行了聚类分析,确定了各个家系之间的遗传亲缘关系。8个家系间的基因流N_m为 0.172 5,表明基因流处于较低水平。     

Bioclimatic regions influence genetic structure of four Jordanian Stipa species

Strong environmental gradients can affect the genetic structure of plant populations, but little is known as to whether closely related species respond similarly or idiosyncratically to ecogeographic variation. We analysed the extent to which gradients in temperature and rainfall shape the genetic structure of four Stipa species in four bioclimatic regions in Jordan. Genetic diversity, differentiation and structure of Stipa species were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. For each of the four study species, we sampled 120 individuals from ten populations situated in distinct bioclimatic regions and assessed the degree of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation within and among populations. The widespread ruderals Stipa capensis and S. parviflora had higher genetic diversity than the geographically restricted semi‐desert species S. arabica and S. lagascae. In three of the four species, genetic diversity strongly decreased with precipitation, while genetic diversity increased with temperature in S. capensis. Most genetic diversity resided among populations in the semi‐desert species (Φ_ST = 0.572/0.595 in S. arabica/lagascae) but within populations in the ruderal species (Φ_ST = 0.355/0.387 S. capensis/parviflora). Principal coordinate analysis ( PCoA) and STRUCTURE analysis showed that Stipa populations of all species clustered ecogeographically. A genome scan revealed that divergent selection at particular AFLP loci contributed to genetic differentiation. Irrespective of their different life histories, Stipa species responded similarly to the bioclimatic gradient in Jordan. We conclude that, in addition to predominant random processes, steep climatic gradients might shape the genetic structure of plant populations.     

不同种源马尾松ISSR遗传结构及影响因素分析

应用ISSR分子标记技术,对来自广西、贵州3个种源的马尾松开展遗传多样性、遗传结构及遗传距离等研究。结果表明：从100条引物中筛选出12条引物,共扩增出92个条带,86条具有多态性。 POPGENE分析显示：马尾松群体水平上的Nei’ s基因多样性指数的变化范围为0.1824~0.2065,Shannon遗传多样性指数的变化范围为0.2818~0.3178,3个群体的多态性水平差异不大;物种水平上的多态性百分率为93.48％, Nei’ s基因多样性指数为0.2842,Shannon信息指数为0.4381;表明马尾松在物种水平上具有较高水平的遗传多样性。遗传结构分析显示：马尾松的基因分化系数( Gst)为0.3153,表明遗传变异主要来源于群体内;基因流Nm为1.0853,表明不同群体间存在一定的基因流动。 AMOVA分析显示：马尾松的遗传分化指数( Fst)为0.246( P＝0.001),表明群体间已出现明显的遗传分化。 UPGMA聚类和Mantel检测结果显示：每个群体内的个体均能很好地首先聚集为一个分支,群体间的遗传距离与地理距离之间存在显著相关性( r＝0.972, P＝0.001)。这说明马尾松在裸子植物界中具有较高水平的遗传多样性,遗传变异主要分布于群体内,群体间已出现了明显的遗传分化,这种分化并非由遗传漂变引起,可能与地理生境的差异有关。     

Rate of evolutionary change in cranial morphology of the marsupial genus Monodelphis is constrained by the availability of additive genetic variation

We tested the hypothesis that the rate of marsupial cranial evolution is dependent on the distribution of genetic variation in multivariate space. To do so, we carried out a genetic analysis of cranial morphological variation in laboratory strains of Monodelphis domestica and used estimates of genetic covariation to analyse the morphological diversification of the Monodelphis brevicaudata species group. We found that within‐species genetic variation is concentrated in only a few axes of the morphospace and that this strong genetic covariation influenced the rate of morphological diversification of the brevicaudata group, with between‐species divergence occurring fastest when occurring along the genetic line of least resistance. Accounting for the geometric distribution of genetic variation also increased our ability to detect the selective regimen underlying species diversification, with several instances of selection only being detected when genetic covariances were taken into account. Therefore, this work directly links patterns of genetic covariation among traits to macroevolutionary patterns of morphological divergence. Our findings also suggest that the limited distribution of Monodelphis species in morphospace is the result of a complex interplay between the limited dimensionality of available genetic variation and strong stabilizing selection along two major axes of genetic variation.     

Population genetic structure,genetic diversity,and natural history of the South American species of Nothofagus subgenus Lophozonia (Nothofagaceae) inferred from nuclear microsatellite data

The effect of glaciation on the levels and patterns of genetic variation has been well studied in the Northern Hemisphere. However, although glaciation has undoubtedly shaped the genetic structure of plants in the Southern Hemisphere, fewer studies have characterized the effect, and almost none of them using microsatellites. Particularly, complex patterns of genetic structure might be expected in areas such as the Andes, where both latitudinal and altitudinal glacial advance and retreat have molded modern plant communities. We therefore studied the population genetics of three closely related, hybridizing species of Nothofagus (N. obliqua, N. alpina, and N. glauca, all of subgenus Lophozonia; Nothofagaceae) from Chile. To estimate population genetic parameters and infer the influence of the last ice age on the spatial and genetic distribution of these species, we examined and analyzed genetic variability at seven polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci in 640 individuals from 40 populations covering most of the ranges of these species in Chile. Populations showed no significant inbreeding and exhibited relatively high levels of genetic diversity (H_E = 0.502–0.662) and slight, but significant, genetic structure (R_ST = 8.7–16.0%). However, in N. obliqua, the small amount of genetic structure was spatially organized into three well‐defined latitudinal groups. Our data may also suggest some introgression of N. alpina genes into N. obliqua in the northern populations. These results allowed us to reconstruct the influence of the last ice age on the genetic structure of these species, suggesting several centers of genetic diversity for N. obliqua and N. alpina, in agreement with the multiple refugia hypothesis.     

Genetic diversity analysis of Rhodothermus reflects geographical origin of the isolates

The genetic diversity and relationships of 81 Rhodothermus isolates from different geothermal environments in Iceland were examined by analysis of electrophoretically demonstrable allelic variation of 13 genes encoding enzymes. All the enzymes were polymorphic. A total of 71 distinctive multilocus genotypes (electrophoretic types, ETs) were identified. The mean genetic diversity per locus (H _t ) was 0.586. The relatively high genetic variance observed within Rhodothermus isolates from different locations is most likely the result of genetic changes occurring independently in the locations studied. A high G _st value (0.284) indicates that a considerable part of the variance observed is due to differences between locations. Cluster analysis revealed two major groups of ET clusters diverging at a genetic distance of 0.75, reflecting strongly the geographic origin of isolates. Estimation of the association index (I _A) indicates that Rhodothermus marinus is a clonal species in which recombination events occur rarely. Partial or whole sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes of Rhodothermus isolates grouping at genetic distance of 0.40 confirmed that all the isolates belonged to the species Rhodothermus marinus. The results of this study confirm that, despite phylogenetic and phenotypic similarity, genetic diversity within Rhodothermus marinus is quite high. Received: January 21, 2000 / Accepted: April 27, 2000     

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 subgroup. 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 northem grassland in China may be the main factor responsible for high genetic differentiation among populations, within and among regions. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

海南岛油茶种质资源遗传多样性的SRAP分析

为了解海南岛油茶(Camellia oleifera)种质资源的遗传多样性,采用SRAP分子标记,对海南岛油茶主要分布区的31个居群进行了遗传多样性和亲缘关系分析。结果表明,海南岛油茶资源的遗传多样性低,物种水平的多态性百分率(PPB)为98.30%,Nei’s基因多样性(H)为0.222 8,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.353 8;居群水平的PPB=40.96%,观测等位基因数(Na)为1.409 6,有效等位基因数(Ne)为1.237 1, H=0.138 5, I=0.208 3,这与海南岛油茶丰富的表型多样性水平不一致。海南岛油茶资源遗传分化较大,居群间基因交流有限,不同居群间的遗传分化指数(Gst)为0.380,基因流(Nm)为0.813 91。遗传变异主要发生在居群内,有38.05%的变异存在居群间,61.95%存在于居群内。遗传距离为0.022 6～0.276 4,平均为0.107 7,居群间的亲缘关系较近。UPGMA聚类分析表明,在遗传距离为0.11处,可将31个油茶居群聚为6类,表现出明显的行政区域性,而与地理距离关系不大。因此,海南岛油茶资源遗传多样性低,亲缘关系近可能导致自交或近交不亲和,可能是海南油茶林分花量大而结实低的主要内在原因。     

Contrasting levels of genetic diversity between the historically rare orchid Cypripedium japonicum and the historically common orchid Cypripedium macranthos in South Korea

Many terrestrial orchids are historically rare and occur in small, spatially isolated populations. Theory predicts that such species will harbour low levels of genetic variation within populations and will exhibit a high degree of population genetic divergence, primarily as a result of genetic drift. If the origin of the present‐day populations is relatively recent from the same genetically depauperate source population, a complete lack of genetic differentiation between conspecific populations is expected. If a terrestrial orchid was historically common with moderate or high levels of genetic diversity, but has experienced more recent anthropogenic disturbance as a result of over‐collection, it would still exhibit initial levels of genetic variation within populations and a low degree of genetic divergence between populations. To test these predictions, we examined the genetic diversity in six populations (N = 131) of the historically and currently rare Cypripedium japonicum and in four populations (N = 94) of the historically common but now rare C. macranthos from South Korea. Fourteen putative allozyme loci resolved from eight enzyme systems revealed no variation either within or among populations of C. japonicum, which supports the first prediction. In contrast, populations of C. macranthos harboured high levels of genetic variation (mean percentage of polymorphic loci %P = 46.7; mean expected heterozygosity H_e = 0.185) and exhibited a low degree of population genetic divergence (G_ST = 0.059), supporting the second prediction. The lack of genetic variation both within and among conspecific populations of C. japonicum may suggest that populations originated from the same genetically depauperate ancestral population. The high levels of genetic diversity maintained in populations of C. macranthos suggest that the collection‐mediated decrease in the number of individuals is still too recent for long‐term effects on genetic variation. Based on current demographic and genetic data, in situ and ex situ conservation strategies should be provided to preserve genetic variation and to ensure the long‐term survival of the two species in the Korean Peninsula. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 119–129.     

Positive correlation between vegetation dissimilarity and genetic differentiation of Carex sempervirens

Synthesizing genetic data at population level and vegetation data at community level may give insight into how ecological and evolutionary processes associated with different vegetation influence genetic diversity and differentiation of plant populations. We correlated population genetic patterns of Carex sempervirens with community vegetation patterns in abandoned subalpine grassland in the Swiss Alps. Within-population genetic diversity (percentage of polymorphic bands and Nei's gene diversity) of C. sempervirens was not significantly correlated with plant richness, evenness or Shannon's diversity index (Pearson correlation coefficient |r|<0.32, P>0.10). However, the genetic distance (F_ST) between C. sempervirens populations was significantly positively correlated with the vegetation dissimilarity between communities (Mantel's r=0.23, P<0.01). The correlation between the population genetic differentiation and the vegetation dissimilarity was not due to the parallel effects of geographic isolation or site conditions, because F_ST was not correlated with the geographic distance or the pairwise differences in any of the measured site condition parameters. One likely mechanism is that different plant communities were associated with different selective forces, which, in turn, influenced the genetic differentiation between C. sempervirens populations. Another possibility is that the vegetation heterogeneity (dissimilarity) generated ecological barriers against gene flow and thus enhanced the genetic differentiation between C. sempervirens populations.