Genetic diversity in Hemileia vastatrix based on RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess the genetic structure of Hemileia vastatrix populations. Forty-five rust isolates with different virulence spectra and from different hosts and geographical regions were analyzed. Out of 45 bands, generated with three RAPD primers, 35 (78%) were polymorphic and scored as molecular markers. Cluster analysis exhibits unstructured variability of this pathogen with regard to physiological race, geographical origin or host. The genotypic diversity (H') inferred from Shannon's index was higher than gene diversity (Ht), suggesting that diversity is distributed among clonal lineages. Estimates of gene diversity in Africa and Asia populations were higher in total (Ht) as compared to within population diversity (Hs). Genetic differentiation was considerable among coffee rust isolates from Africa (Gst = 0.865) and Asia (Gst = 0.768) but not among isolates from South America (Gst = 0.266). We concluded that genetic diversity in H. vastatrix was moderately low and that the genetic differentiation among populations shows that asexual reproduction is likely to play an important role in the population biology of this fungus. This should be taken into account for the development of breeding programs.     

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary Populations from Different Regions and Host Plants by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of a population of isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary from different regions and host plants were investigated using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method with 20 random decamer primer pairs in order to provide some information on the phylogenetic taxa and breeding for resistance to sclerotinia stem rot. A minimum of three and a maximum of 15 unambiguously amplified bands were generated, furnishing a total of 170 bands ranging in size from 100to 3 200 bp, corresponding to an average of 8.5 bands per primer pair. One hundred and four of these 170bands (61.2%) were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphic bands for each primer pair ranging from 0.0% to 86.7%. The genetic relationships among the isolates, based on the results of RAPD analysis, were examined. The genetic similarity of all selected isolates was quite high. At the species level, the genetic diversity estimated by Nei's gene diversity (h) was 0.197 and S hannon's index of diversity (I) was 0.300. The unweighted pair-group mean analysis (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed that most isolates from the same regions were grouped in the same cluster or a close cluster. The population of isolates from Hefei (Anhui Province, China) was more uniform and relatively distant to other populations. The Canadian population collected from carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.) was relatively close to the Polish population collected from oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants. There was no relationship between isolates from the same host plants. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the percentage of variance attributable to variation among and within populations was 50.62% and 49.38%, respectively. When accessions from China, Europe, and Canada were treated as three separate groups, the variance components among groups,among populations within groups, and within populations were -0.96%, 51.48%, and 49.47%, respectively.The genetic differentiations among and within populations were highly significant (P ＜ 0.001). Similarly, the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) in total populations calculated by population genetic analysis was 0.229 4, which indicated that the genetic variation among populations was 22.94%. The gene flow (Nm)was 1.68, which indicated that the gene permutation and interaction among populations was relatively high.     

分离自安徽土壤金龟子绿僵菌种群的遗传异质性研究

金龟子绿僵菌是昆虫种群自然控制和害虫生物防治中重要的虫生真菌,已被作为化学农药的替代品广泛应用于农林害虫的防治。其寄主范围和地理分布极广,因此种群结构也十分复杂。为明确安徽省土栖金龟子绿僵菌的种群遗传结构,采用ISSR分子标记技术对采集自安徽省不同地区土壤中的116株金龟子绿僵菌进行遗传异质性分析。分子数据显示,筛选出的8个引物共获得79个位点,其中多态位点比率为100%。不同地区种群的Nei’s基因多样性(H)为0.2796,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.4425,种群间存在一定程度的基因流(Nm=4.4282)和遗传分化(Gst=0.1015),种群内的基因多样度占总居群的89.85%,种群间占10.15%,表明安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌的遗传变异主要来源于种群内,且种群内表现出较大的遗传变异。并采用UPGMA对所有供试材料进行聚类分析,得到7大类种群。结果表明,安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌之间的亲缘关系与地理来源不存在相关性。     

A hierarchical analysis of population genetic structure in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii

Little is known about the population processes that shape the genetic diversity in natural populations of rhizobia. A sample of 912 Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii isolates were collected from naturalized red clover populations ( Trifolium pratense ) and analyzed for 15 allozyme loci to determine the levels and distribution of genetic diversity. Hierarchical analyses compared different sampling levels, geographical separation, and temporal separation. Total genetic diversity across all isolates was H = 0.426, with 57.6% of the total diversity found among isolates obtained from individual red clover plants. Relatively low genetic differentiation among populations and high differentiation among plants within populations was observed; this suggests that gene flow and founder effect act differently at geographical and local scales. Significant differences were observed in (i) allele frequencies among populations and among plants within populations, and (ii) the frequency distribution of the most widespread and the most abundant strains. When multilocus linkage disequilibrium was calculated, significant levels of disequilibrium were observed in the total sample and in three of the eight populations.     

Development of Microsatellite Markers and Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from Ethiopia

Twenty three polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for citrus plant pathogenic fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and were used to analyze genetic diversity and population structure of 163 isolates from four different geographical regions of Ethiopia. These loci produced a total of 118 alleles with an average of 5.13 alleles per microsatellite marker. The polymorphic information content values ranged from 0.104 to 0.597 with an average of 0.371. The average observed heterozygosity across all loci varied from 0.046 to 0.058. The gene diversity among the loci ranged from 0.106 to 0.664. Unweighted Neighbor-joining and population structure analysis grouped these 163 isolates into three major groups. The clusters were not according to the geographic origin of the isolates. Analysis of molecular variance showed 85% of the total variation within populations and only 5% among populations. There was low genetic differentiation in the total populations (F_ST = 0.049) as evidenced by high level of gene flow estimate (N_m = 4.8 per generation) among populations. The results show that Ethiopian C. gloeosporioides populations are generally characterized by a low level of genetic diversity. The newly developed microsatellite markers were useful in analyzing the genetic diversity and population structure of the C. gloeosporioides populations. Information obtained from this study could be useful as a base to design strategies for better management of leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus in Ethiopia.     

A population survey of Beauveria bassiana in the microhabitat of the red turpentine beetle,Dendroctonus valens,in Chinese pine forests

Field survey of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana in association with the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens, was undertaken in three pine plantations in Northern China. In total, 88 strains of B. bassiana sensu lato were isolated from the soil, bark, beetle frass, living adult and cadaver samples and soil was proved to be an important inoculum reservoir for fungal entomopathogens. Of these, 77 isolates were included for genetic diversity analysis by PCR for inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of the isolates from three sites and five niches demonstrated high genetic diversity and heterogeneity between and/or within populations. Wright's statistics revealed a high gene flow rate (4.529) among the three populations, especially among the soil-derived isolate subpopulations. Low variation was mainly caused (94.8%) by variation among different substrates, suggesting the importance of microhabitat substrates on genetic diversity of B. bassiana. Phylogenetic variation was not associated with geographic distance.     

Genetic diversity and genetic relationship of Caragana microphylla, Caragana davazamcii and Caragana korshinskii on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China

C. microphylla, C. davazamcii and C. korshinskii exhibit a geographical replacement series from east to west on the Inner Mongolia Plateau. Currently, there is still a debate about the taxonomic and genetic relationship among these 3 species. We studied the genetic diversity and genetic relationship among these 3 species by analyzing DNA samples of individual plants from within 10 populations with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. We identified 678 RAPD loci in total, of which all were polymorphic (PPB = 100%). There were 41 unique loci (6.05%). In general, a trend presented that the genetic diversity of these species decreased from east to west. Further, the genetic diversity was significantly negatively correlated with the local annual mean temperature. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) showed that the genetic variation among these 3 species was only 6.08% of the total genetic variation. Between the species, the genetic variation was insignificant (P = 0.9961). The proportion of genetic variation among populations within each species was 11.90% (P < 0.001) of the total genetic variation, and the total genetic variation mainly existed within the populations (82.02%). Estimated with Shannon's index, genetic differentiation within the populations (Hpop/Hsp) was 0.8013, the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.1603, and the gene flow index (Nm) was 2.6192. This, thus, indicates that there is relatively high gene flow among these populations, and that these 3 species are crossbreeding. The genetic diversity level and the population distribution pattern showed geographic continuity to some extent.     

内蒙古高原小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)、中间锦鸡儿(C. davazamcii)和柠条锦鸡儿(C. korshinskii)的遗传多样性及遗传关系

采用RAPD技术对10个具较大地理跨度的小叶锦鸡儿、中间锦鸡儿和柠条锦鸡儿种群的遗传多样性和遗传关系进行了研究.共检测到678个位点,多态条带比率(PPB)为100%;特有位点41个,占6.05%.总体上3种锦鸡儿的遗传多样性表现出自东向西递减的趋势,分析表明其与生长地点年均气温呈显著负相关.AMOVA表明:3种锦鸡儿种间变异只占总体变异的6.08%,且显著性检验表明这种变异不显著;种内种群间的变异占总变异的11.90%;总变异的主要部分来自种群内部(82.02%). 3种锦鸡儿各种群总体分析结果表明:种群内变异比率Hpop/Hsp为0.8013,基因分化系数Gst为0.1603,种群每代迁移数Nm为2.6192,显示种群间存在一定强度的基因流,3种锦鸡儿间表现为异交性.3种锦鸡儿多样性高低及种群聚类分布格局都表现出一定的地理连续性.     

大别山山核桃天然群体遗传结构的初步分析

利用RAPD分子标记技术检测了大别山山核桃3个天然居群的遗传多样性和遗传结构。20条10 bp随机引物共检测到238个扩增位点,其中多态性位点162个,多态位点百分率(PPB)为68.1%。居群水平Shannon’s多态性信息指数(I)介于0.2651~0.2801之间;居群水平Ne i’s基因多样性指数(H)介于0.1789~0.1890之间。遗传变异计算显示大别山山核桃居群间基因分化系数(Gst)为0.4063,分子方差分析(AMOVA)表明居群间基因分化水平为0.4177,居群间基因流(Nm)为0.7306,说明大别山山核桃大部分变异存在于居群内,居群间基因交流相对较少。这一结果符合大别山山核桃风媒、异交的繁育系统特点,但其居群间基因分化程度明显高于异交植物的平均水平(Gst=0.1930)。地理隔离、居群内近交及居群间基因流受阻可能是形成目前大别山山核桃天然群体遗传结构的主要因素。     

Surprisingly little population genetic structure in a fungus‐associated beetle despite its exploitation of multiple hosts

In heterogeneous environments, landscape features directly affect the structure of genetic variation among populations by functioning as barriers to gene flow. Resource‐associated population genetic structure, in which populations that use different resources (e.g., host plants) are genetically distinct, is a well‐studied example of how environmental heterogeneity structures populations. However, the pattern that emerges in a given landscape should depend on its particular combination of resources. If resources constitute barriers to gene flow, population differentiation should be lowest in homogeneous landscapes, and highest where resources exist in equal proportions. In this study, we tested whether host community diversity affects population genetic structure in a beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) that exploits three sympatric host fungi. We collected B. cornutus from plots containing the three host fungi in different proportions and quantified population genetic structure in each plot using a panel of microsatellite loci. We found no relationship between host community diversity and population differentiation in this species; however, we also found no evidence of resource‐associated differentiation, suggesting that host fungi are not substantial barriers to gene flow. Moreover, we detected no genetic differentiation among B. cornutus populations separated by several kilometers, even though a previous study demonstrated moderate genetic structure on the scale of a few hundred meters. Although we found no effect of community diversity on population genetic structure in this study, the role of host communities in the structuring of genetic variation in heterogeneous landscapes should be further explored in a species that exhibits resource‐associated population genetic structure.     

Genetic diversity and host plant preferences revealed by simple sequence repeat and mitochondrial markers in a population of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbionts of plants that improve plant nutrient acquisition and promote plant diversity. Although within-species genetic differences among AMF have been shown to differentially affect plant growth, very little is actually known about the degree of genetic diversity in AMF populations. This is largely because of difficulties in isolation and cultivation of the fungi in a clean system allowing reliable genotyping to be performed. A population of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices growing in an in vitro cultivation system was studied using newly developed simple sequence repeat (SSR), nuclear gene intron and mitochondrial ribosomal gene intron markers. The markers revealed a strong differentiation at the nuclear and mitochondrial level among isolates. Genotypes were nonrandomly distributed among four plots showing genetic subdivisions in the field. Meanwhile, identical genotypes were found in geographically distant locations. AMF genotypes showed significant preferences to different host plant species (Glycine max, Helianthus annuus and Allium porrum) used before the fungal in vitro culture establishment. Host plants in a field could provide a heterogeneous environment favouring certain genotypes. Such preferences may partly explain within-population patterns of genetic diversity.     

Occurrence and Genetic Structure of the Systemic Grass Endophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epichloë festucae</Emphasis> in Fine Fescue Populations

Epichloë species are systemic fungal endophytes that usually specialize in a certain group of related grass species. We examined the infection frequency of Epichloë festucae in populations of two fine fescue species (Festuca rubra and F. ovina) in natural and seminatural habitats at 86 study sites (total = 2514 plants) across Finland and northern Norway. Infection incidence varied significantly among grass species and populations. A substantial number of the F. rubra and F. ovina populations (53 out of 77 and 25 out of 30, respectively) were either endophyte-free or had very low (<20%) infection frequencies. The highest infection frequencies were found in subarctic areas. Moreover, infection incidence differed between habitats. In the area with the highest infection frequencies, we used microsatellite markers to study genetic diversity and the rates of gene flow of E. festucae among 12 F. rubra populations. Twenty out of the 25 fungal genotypes detected with four microsatellite markers were carrying multiple alleles in at least one locus, indicating multiple infections or vegetative hybridization of the fungus. One dominant genotype occurred in all 12 populations, representing 63.5% of all isolates. We found a moderate level of average genotypic variation and a low level of genetic differentiation (F _st = 0.0814). There was no correlation between infection frequency and genotypic diversity. Although the existence of a dominant genotype and the detected linkage disequilibrium suggest that the fungus is mainly asexual and vertically transmitted, the multiallelic loci and variation of genetic diversity among populations indicate occasional contagious spread and sexual or parasexual recombination of the fungus in some populations. Furthermore, the genotypes carrying multiallelic loci suggest the possibility of multiple infections or hybridization of the endophyte.     

Host-related genetic differentiation in the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum in sympatric, parapatric and allopatric populations of two host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica

We investigated genetic diversity in West European populations of the fungal pathogen Microbotryum violaceum in sympatric, parapatric and allopatric populations of the host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica, using four polymorphic microsatellite loci. In allopatric host populations, the fungus was highly differentiated by host species, exhibiting high values of F(ST) and R(ST), and revealed clear and distinct host races. In sympatric and parapatric populations we found significant population differentiation as well, except for one sympatric population in which the two host species grew truly intermingled. The mean number of alleles per locus for isolates from each of the host species was significantly higher in sympatric/parapatric than in allopatric populations. This suggests that either gene flow between host races in sympatry, or in case of less neutral loci, selection in a more heterogeneous host environment can increase the level of genetic variation in each of the demes. The observed pattern of host-related genetic differentiation among these geographically spread populations suggest a long-term divergence between these host races. In sympatric host populations, both host races presumably come in secondary contact, and host-specific alleles are exchanged depending on the amount of fungal gene flow.     

Genetic diversity and population structure in French populations of Mycosphaerella graminicola

Mycosphaerella graminicola populations were examined in France with microsatellite markers and PCR-SSCP analysis of partial actin and β-tubulin encoding sequences. A total of 363 isolates was sampled in 2005 from 17 provinces, and genotypes from corresponding strains were characterized. Unique haplotypes comprised 84% of the population, and gene diversity was high nationwide (0.70) and locally. A moderate genetic differentiation (G(ST) = 0.18) was found and indicated that in France the M. graminicola population was more structured than in other previously studied European countries. Bayesian structure analysis identified three genetic clusters distributed among the 17 provinces. Our results highlighted the potential for the adaptation of the fungus to local conditions, leading to genetic clusters among the French population of the fungus as well as genotype flow between regional clusters.     

A first assessment of genetic variation in Welwitschia mirabilis Hook

Welwitschia mirabilis is a monotypic member of the family Welwitchiaceae which, along with Ephedra and Gnetum species, comprises the gymnospermous order Gnetales. While the monophyly of this order is now widely accepted, the relationship of the Gnetales to other seed plants is still contentious. Despite the unique phylogenetic position of W. mirabilis and its extraordinary physiological and anatomical adaptations, little is known about the plant's phylogeny or its current distribution in isolated locations throughout the Namib Desert. As a preliminary step in the design of an more extensive phylogeographic study, we analyzed 37 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) loci from 59 plants distributed among five sites separated by distances of 6-440 km. Cluster analysis and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant levels of variation within and between populations and little evidence of inbreeding. Genetic differences between populations reflect the geographic distances separating them. Three of the populations formed discernable genetic clusters, suggesting that little gene flow occurs between populations separated by > or = 18 km. In contrast, gene flow is occurring between two populations separated by only 6 km, supporting previous observations that pollen dispersal is primarily local and that seeds are not readily wind-born over the large distances separating most W. mirabilis populations. As a working hypothesis, we propose that W. mirabilis had a continuous distribution across its current range as much as 105 million years ago, and that as a consequence of subsequent drying trends and physical disturbance, populations became progressively isolated, accounting for their current distribution.     

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 xenog-amy 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.     

Genetic variability and differentiation of Caragana microphylla populations as revealed by RAPD markers

Genetic variability in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was studied in 90 individuals of Caragana microphylla, an outcrossing perennial shrub species, from five natural populations sampled in Inner Mongolia steppe of China on a small scale. Nineteen selected primers were used to amplify DNA samples, and totally 225 bands were detected. The percentage of polymorphic bands within populations ranged form 58.22% to 63.56%, with an average of 60% at the population level and 71.11% at the species level, indicating relatively high genetic variations in C. microphylla species. Shannon's information index (I) and Nei's gene diversity (h) showed the similar trend with each other. According to the analysis of Nei's gene diversity, the percentage of genetic variation among populations was 7.13%, indicating a low level of genetic differentiation among populations. There existed a strong gene flow (Nm = 3.26) among populations. Although AMOVA analysis also revealed most variation was within populations (phi(ST) = 4.1%), a significant proportion was observed among populations (P<0.001) in the present study, suggesting genetic differentiation occurred among populations at a certain extent. Based on Mantel's tests and the results of previous studies, the genetic structure pattern of C. microphylla accorded with the isolation-by-distance model on a very large scale, however, on a small scale, the significant genetic differentiation among populations might be enhanced by the micro-environmental divergence among the sampling sites, rather than by geographic factors. Analysis of the genetic variations of C. microphylla populations provided useful information for the adaptive strategy of Caragana species.     

Isozyme and PCR-based genotyping of epidemic Phytophthora colocasiae associated with taro leaf blight

The Oomycetous fungus Phytophthora colocasiae causing leaf blight of taro is widely distributed in India. Wide geographic range or sexual recombination provides genetic differentiation within this species. To determine how genetic variation is partitioned in P. colocasiae, 14 isolates were isolated from different regions of India, where the incidence of leaf blight is great. Molecular and biochemical techniques were employed for assessing and exploiting the genetic variability among isolates of P. colocasiae. Seven polymorphic enzyme systems revealed 23 isozyme patterns, each uniquely characterised by the presence or absence of electromorphs. Further, 10 oligodeoxynucleotide primers were selected for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays, which resulted in 123 polymorphic bands for 10 isolates of P. colocasiae. The data were entered into a binary matrix and a similarity matrix was constructed using a DICE similarity (SD) index. A UPGMA cluster based on SD values was generated using a NTSYS computer program. Shannon's index was used to partition genetic diversity. Similarly, isozymes and RAPDs yielded high estimates of genetic variability. Genetic diversity estimates via isozyme and RAPD pattern indicated 78.26% and 100%, respectively, total diversity among populations. This type of genetic variation in P. colocasiae indicates that variation due to asexual and/or possibly infrequent sexual mechanisms is possible and that genetic differentiation has taken place as a result of geographic isolation. The presence of larger than expected RAPD variation in isolates of P. colocasiae and the presence of distinct different zymotypes among these isolates suggests that genetic recombination (or less likely hybridisation) is at least possible in this fungus and that geographic differentiation has taken place. Even isolates obtained from the same habitat have different RAPD patterns, indicating that many populations of this fungus are made up of more than one genet and that few are derived clonally.     

Low genetic differentiation among seasonal cohorts in Senecio vulgaris as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis

Common groundsel, Senecio vulgaris (Asteraceae), is a highly selfing semelparous ephemeral weed that belongs to the few plant species in central Europe capable of growing, flowering and fruiting all year round. In temperate climates, flowering S. vulgaris cohorts were found to appear up to three times per year. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers we examined temporal genetic differentiation among spring, summer and autumn cohorts at each of seven sites located in two regions in Switzerland. Strong genetic differentiation among cohorts may indicate the existence of seasonal races of S. vulgaris, reproductively isolated by nonoverlapping flowering phenologies. Analysis of molecular variance (amova) revealed that < 2.5% of the AFLP variation resided among cohorts within sites, whereas there was significant genetic differentiation among plants from different sites (15.6%) and among individuals within cohorts (81.9%). Significant genetic differentiation was also observed between the two regions. Isolation-by-distance was found on a regional scale, but not on a local scale. Gene flow was estimated to be approximately 15-fold higher among cohorts within sites than among sites. We further found, on average, similar levels of genetic diversity within the three seasonal cohorts. The results of this study demonstrate that season of growth represents a weak barrier for genetic exchange among S. vulgaris populations and does not affect molecular variance. Therefore, there is no evidence for the existence of seasonally specialized races of S. vulgaris. We discuss some implications of the results for the biological control of S. vulgaris using a native rust fungus.     

Differences in population structure of the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum on two closely related host species, Silene latifolia and S. dioica

We investigated the genetic population structure of the sexually transmitted plant pathogen, the fungus Microbotryum violaceum, on the two closely related host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica using microsatellite markers. We found strong deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations, with significant heterozygote deficiency in almost all populations. Fungal strains from the two host species were differentiated, and these host races differed in amount of variation within populations and differentiation among populations. Anther smut from S. latifolia harboured significantly less microsatellite diversity and were more genetically differentiated from each other than those from S. dioica. Small effective population sizes, rapid population turnover, and less gene flow among populations could lead to this higher population differentiation and lower within population genetic diversity for anther smut populations on S. latifolia than on S. dioica. These results are in concordance with host ecology because S. latifolia grows in more disturbed habitats than S. dioica and may provide a shorter-lived host environment.