Genetic diversity and gene flow estimation in Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce: A key stone tree species of Indian Thar Desert

Selected amplicon data obtained through our earlier study using ISSR and DAMD markers were utilized for determination of diversity within and among the populations of Prosopis cineraria (L.) accessions collected from different districts of Rajasthan (India). A total of 83 bands were generated from eight ISSR and five DAMD primers of which 79 were found to be polymorphic (95.18%). Nei’s gene diversity (h) ranged between 0.185 and 0.301 with overall diversity of 0.316 while Shannon’s information index (I) values recorded between 0.253 and 0.438 with an average value of 0.243. The gene flow value (1.713) and the diversity among populations (0.226) demonstrated higher genetic variation within the population. It is concluded that P. cineraria is accompanied by high genetic diversity within the population and elevated gene flow showing indications of adaptation to callous and fragile dry conditions of arid environment.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of endangered Isoetes coreana in South Korea based on RAPD analysis

Isoetes coreana Chung and Choi is on the list of critically endangered species in South Korea. Using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, we investigated the genetic diversity within and between seven local populations of I. coreana. Ten RAPD primers produced a total of 94 bands, of which 59 (62.8%) were polymorphic. A low level of genetic diversity was recognized within the populations of I. coreana: polymorphic loci (P), with values ranging from 3.4% to 33.9%, and a mean value of 15.5% being observed. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that genetic diversity was greater among populations (81.6%) than within populations (19.7%) or among the three regions included in this study (Han River, Youngsan River, and Nakdong River). In addition, a high degree of genetic differentiation (θ^B = 0.742) was detected among the populations. These results indicate that genetic differentiation has occurred very rapidly. However, the rate of gene flow between populations was found to be as low as 0.059, irrespective of the genetic and geographical distances between the populations, which indicates that genetic drift must have played an important role in forming the present populations of I. coreana. Because a reduction of genetic diversity as a result of genetic drift is undesirable, increasing the gene flow between populations of Korean quillwort I. coreana should be considered as a conservation strategy.     

Conservation genetics of Heritiera littoralis (Sterculiaceae), a threatened mangrove in China,based on AFLP and ISSR markers

AFLP and ISSR markers were used to determine the genetic variations in eight mangrove and non-mangrove populations of Heritiera littoralis (Sterculiaceae), a threatened species in China. Our results showed a moderate to high level of genetic variation in this species (P = 63.69%, H_T = 0.20 for AFLP; P = 76.07%, H_T = 0.22 for ISSR), and a relatively high level of genetic differentiation among populations (G_ST = 0.24 for AFLP and 0.27 for ISSR). Life history traits, long-distance dispersal of floating seeds, and local environments may play important roles in shaping the genetic diversity and genetic structure of this species. Investigation of the plant’s reproductive capacity showed that the natural seed production of H. littoralis was low, as was the germination rate and the transformation rate from juvenile to adult. H. littoralis is seriously threatened and is in urgent need of conservation in China.     

Distinguishing past from present gene flow along and across a river: the case of the carnivorous marsupial (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Antechinus flavipes</Emphasis>) on southern Australian floodplains

Humans have altered many floodplain ecosystems around the world by clearing vegetation, building towns and regulating river flows. Studies discerning gene flow and population structure of floodplain-dwelling animals are rare yet are necessary for understanding the effects of human actions on native populations. In south-eastern Australia, the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) is the only carnivorous marsupial on many lowland floodplains, yet our knowledge of impacts of human activities is limited. The control region of mitochondrial DNA and 11 microsatellite DNA markers were used to explore historic and current gene flow in A. flavipes across and along the Murray River. Simulations were carried out to test different migration models. We found evidence for historic gene flow along and across the river but inferred that small towns and farmland or cleared floodplain sections restricted current gene flow along the river. Populations along the river appear to be isolated, and should be maintained at large enough sizes to avoid genetic problems such as inbreeding depression and loss of evolutionary potential. We also investigated whether 50-year-long maintenance of high water levels for irrigation in summer, at the time of juvenile dispersal, has led to restrictions in gene flow across the river. We found no evidence for restrictions to gene flow across the river and suggest that large floods and dropping tree branches may aid dispersal across the river.     

Pollen flow and the intrapopulation genetic structure of Heloniopsis orientalis on the forest floor as determined using microsatellite markers

Pollenflow, seedling dynamics, and the genetic structure of Heloniopsis orientalis (Thunb.) C. Tanaka (Liliaceae) were analyzed as part of an effort to understand the reproduction system of perennial herbs foundon the forest floor by means of microsatellite markers. It was possible to assign paternity to all offspring within this population by paternity analysis. Although no ordinary pollinator visits were observed during the flowering period, effective pollen flow occurred throughout the population. It appears that low frequencies of pollinator visits nonetheless permitted adequate pollen flow. Studies of seedling dynamics suggested restricted recruitment by means of seed. Gene flow in the present population seemed to depend mainly on pollen. Local genetic structuring caused by seeds falling near the mother plant and by vegetative reproduction was detected by means of spatial autocorrelation. Three main modes of development of genetic structure were found for this species: (1) asexual reproduction by adventitious buds, which was dominant (up to 20 cm from the parent plants); (2) sexual reproduction by seeds that fell from flower stalks (up to 60 cm from the parent plants); and (3) pollen that dispersed over a wide area (throughout the population). Received: 13 January 2000 / Accepted: 21 March 2000     

Gene flow and spatio-temporal genetic variation among sympatric populations of Tetranychus kanzawai (Acari: Tetranychidae) occurring on different host plants, as estimated by microsatellite gene diversity

We investigated spatio-temporal genetic variation in allele frequency and estimated gene flow among sympatric populations of Tetranychus kanzawai on different host plants by the use of microsatellite markers. In the analysis of spatial genetic variation, no isolation by distance was detected among the populations. Gene flow between populations on Hydrangea macrophylla and those on other host plants was relatively restricted, whereas the populations on Akebia quinata and Clerodendrum trichotomum were almost panmictic. Our study on temporal genetic variation showed (1) that population differentiation was slightly reduced during the period from April to May owing to frequent gene flow among populations; and (2) that population differentiation was greatly enhanced from May to October because of bottleneck effects. Genetic differentiation among T. kanzawai populations was caused by the effect of host plants rather than by the effect of geographic distance among populations, suggesting possibility of sympatric host race formation in this species.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Role of seed flow on the pattern and dynamics of pearl millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennisetum glaucum</Emphasis> [L.] R. Br.) genetic diversity assessed by AFLP markers: a study in south-western Niger

We studied the regional genetic diversity and seed exchange dynamics of pearl millet landraces in south-western Niger. The genetic study was based on AFLP markers. We found significant genetic differentiation between landraces in different geographical areas of south-western Niger. However, the degree of differentiation was low insofar as only 1.9% of the total molecular diversity was due to regional differentiation, suggesting a relatively high gene flow. Anthropologic studies on farming practices have suggested that seed exchanges between farmers on a large geographical scale probably make a considerable contribution to this result. In order to test this hypothesis, the effects of seed exchange on the genetic diversity of landraces was analyzed on seed samples from two distant villages in contrasting areas of south-western Niger. Seeds imported by farmers into the southern village of Sina Koara did not differ significantly from locally grown landraces. By contrast, in the northern village of Alzou, several samples were genetically different from locally grown landraces and closer to southern accessions. These data suggest that the seed flow is preferentially from south to north, i.e. from an area with more favorable rainfall conditions. The potential consequences for the genetic diversity and adaptation of northern pearl millet landraces are discussed.