Genetic differentiation of Actinidia chinensis and analysis of gene flow barriers in the Qinling Mountains, the species’ northern distribution boundary

Autor: Li Liao, Zuozhou Li, Yan-Chang Wang
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 65:881-895
ISSN: 1573-5109
0925-9864
DOI: 10.1007/s10722-017-0578-1
Popis: The Qinling Mountains form the geo-ecological boundary between subtropical and warm-temperate zones in China and represent the northern boundary for the range of native Actinidia chinensis. To protect, explore and make use of natural resources more effectively, factors influencing genetic diversity of species must be determined. Whether the complex demography of the Qinling Mountains significantly influences gene flow of Actinidia species remains unknown. We assessed genetic diversity and structure of A. chinensis populations in the Qinling Mountains using genomic- and EST-SSR markers. We also conducted barrier analysis to detect genetic discontinuity and isolated pools within structured populations. A total of 179 alleles were detected in six natural A. chinensis populations with an average of 14.9 alleles per locus. Overall, genetic differentiation among A. chinensis populations was low but was stronger than that of populations on either the northern or southern slopes. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 25.97% of the total variance occurred among populations, whereas 74.03% of the total variance occurred within populations. The strongest gene flow occurred between the PX population on the southern slope and the LX population on the northern slope. A UPGMA dendrogram revealed that LX and PX populations were clustered together in one group. The other populations were clustered into another group. A Mantel test revealed no significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances. Clear genetic structure was revealed, and four geographic barriers were identified within and among five areas located in the western, central and eastern Qinling Mountains. Gene flow among populations was restricted by the primary ridges of the Qinling Mountains extending west to east, with branches advancing north to south.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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