Features of the population and genetic structure of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) from the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains and Polesie

Genetic differences between a lowland, island, and sparse population (2 ha) of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) from Polesie and two populations at different altitudes in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains (in the range 1000–1500 m above sea level) are identified on the basis of an analysis of the variability of 20 allozyme loci. Despite the different sizes of the samples, different altitude location, and geographic remoteness, these populations are characterized by very low genetic differentiation (D _N = 0.002–0.005). Recombination variability analysis demonstrated that, in terms of the structure of double-locus genotypes, the Polesie population possesses lesser affinity than do the individual Carpathian populations with respect to each other.