Historical isolation and Quaternary range expansion of divergent lineages in wild grapevine

Abstract

Vitis vinifera subsp. silvestris, the wild subspecies of Vitis vinifera L., is a unique and valuable genetic resource for cultivated grapevines. At present, this wild form is rare and is spread from the Southern Atlantic coast of Europe to the Western Himalayas. In the present study, six nuclear microsatellite DNAs were analysed in 301 wild grape samples, using factorial correspondence analysis and the Bayesian model. The aim was to detect the distribution of genetic variability and admixture proportions and thus to identify the main routes of recolonization after the quaternary glaciation, as well as signals of secondary contacts in Europe. The results obtained show that some Caucasus and Italian areas played key roles as refugial areas. Moreover, the data suggest the existence of two main migration routes through central Europe during the post-glacial or the inter-glacial periods. The first started from Southern Italy and moved northward, whereas the second originated from refugia possibly located in eastern areas and migrated westwards. This scenario is most likely associated with the population expansion that followed the European Quaternary glaciations. In accordance with this assumption, central Europe is proposed as an admixture confluence of migration routes radiating from separate grapevine refugia.

Molecular phylogenetics and historical biogeography of the west-palearctic common toads (Bufo bufo species complex)

“…The Caucasus appears in many phylogeographies as a source of distinctive lineages, involving cases of recent glacial-driven splits (Grassi et al, 2008). Paleopalinological data indicate the presence of a mild climate in the area during the LGM, as can be inferred from the presence of conifer and mixed forests in the Western Caucasus 18 Ka (Tarasov et al, 2000).…”

Haplotype richness in refugial areas: phylogeographical structure of Saxifraga callosa

“…Although the Italian Peninsula is considered to be one of the principal glacial refugia in Europe, only a few genetic and phylogeography studies of plant populations from this area have been undertaken: Quercus petraea (Bruschi et al 2003); Fagus sylvatica (Vettori et al 2004); Arabis alpina (Ansell et al 2008) and wild grapevine (Grassi et al 2008). Surprisingly, relatively little effort has been spent on herbaceous species to date.…”

Genotypes and phenotypes of an ex situ Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Beger germplasm collection from the Upper Rhine Valley

“…They occasionally form complex introgressive hybrid groups in transition zones nearby vineyards with cultivated grapes (Aradhya et al 2003). While wild grapevine is dioecious with anemophilous pollination domesticated grapevine is self-pollinating (hermaphrodite) and both differ in several traits (e.g., sugar content, berry-and bunch size and form) (Di Vecchi-Staraz et al 2009;Grassi et al 2008;This et al 2006). Knowledge on the allelic diversity for genes involved in these traits is of great benefit for the analysis of domestication and for genetic resources issues.…”