In:
ABI Genetika, National Library of Serbia, Vol. 53, No. 1 ( 2021), p. 103-119
Abstract:
Malus trilobata, is a rare tree species occurring in several small and
disjunct populations in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin. The
main European population is found in the region of Evros (NE Greece) and is
divided in five distinct subpopulations following the species geographical
pattern. The genetic diversity of approximately the entire population (69
trees) was analyzed using nuclear microsatellite and random genomic markers.
Polymorphism was discovered in 29 out of 45 genomic marker loci (64.44%),
while for nuclear microsatellite markers, all three loci were polymorphic
with an average of 3.75 alleles per locus. Our results unraveled a specific
grouping pattern for both markers. Both genetic markers exhibited relatively
low genetic diversity which is in accordance with the prevalent perception
that species with fragmented distributions tend to have low genetic
diversity, while the differentiation among individuals, revealed a patchy
pattern among small groups of trees separated by roads, firebreaks or
distance. These results indicate a high genetic fragmentation level for the
main European population of M. trilobata, while the presence of roads,
firebreaks, conifer plantations and agricultural land, seem to function as
potential barriers to gene flow. Consequently, and since it is
well-documented that bees hesitate to change foraging patches, as long as
their food is abundant, the observed genetic differentiation patterns could
be partially attributed to the foraging and flight behavior of bees, which
are the main pollinators of the species. The low levels of available genetic
diversity combined with the small overall population and repeated events of
forest fires inside the M. trilobata distribution, perils the survival of
the species and imposes the necessity for a thoroughly organized
conservation strategy.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0534-0012
,
1820-6069
DOI:
10.2298/GENSR2101103B
Language:
English
Publisher:
National Library of Serbia
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2585955-9
SSG:
12
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