Postglacial recolonization routes for Picea abies K. in Italy as suggested by the analysis of sequence‐characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers

Abstract

The routes through which Norway spruce recolonized the Alps after the last ice age were investigated at the genetic level. Seven populations along the Alpine range plus one Apennine population were characterized for seven sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) loci, detecting an overall FST = 0.118. This rather high value for forest species reflects an uneven distribution of genetic variability, and was analysed through different statistical methods. Alternative hypotheses were tested under the isolation-by-distance model and using the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) frame. We conclude that the hypothesis of the existence of a glacial refugium in the Apennines should be rejected, while a putative relict population is identified in the Maritime Alps. The Alpine range of Norway spruce appears to be split in two parts across a north-south line. The results are discussed in comparison with data based on morphological markers, isozymes, chloroplast microsatellites and mitochondrial markers.

Population genetics of Norway spruce (Picea abiesKarst.) at regional scale: sensitivity of different microsatellite motif classes in detecting differentiation

“…Global F ST values were generally very low (Tab. I), an order of magnitude smaller than the figures reported in other papers [15,25].…”

“…Their variability and power in the detection of differentiation are evaluated here in a set of four populations distributed in the Eastern part of the Alps, chosen so that, when taken pairwise, they cover increasing levels of geographic isolation. Pollen-mediated gene flow in conifers is generally strong, as deduced by genetic distance estimates [15,25], and genetic differentiation appears to be linearly correlated with geographical distances at least on a scale of few tens to few hundred kilometers ( [15] and this paper). At very short distances, pollen flow is very effective in amalgamating populations ( [3] and references therein).…”

“…Studies based on molecular markers with low allelic diversity (isozymes [15]; SCARs [25]) generally show an average among-population F ST close to 5%. This does not apply, however, to maternally-inherited (mitochondrial) markers, which on the contrary can detect high levels of differentiation [9,27], due to limited seed dispersal and consequently increased population structuring.…”

Linkage mapping of the Mediterranean cypress, Cupressus sempervirens, based on molecular and morphological markers

“…SCAR markers are sequence specific and produce individual PCR fragments. The SCAR approach has been used successfully to generate variety-specific markers (e.g., in Olea europaea; Busconi et al, 2006) for mapping genes affecting plant architecture in peas (Rameau et al, 1998), for sex determination (e.g., in Pistacia vera; Yakubov et al, 2005) and to study postglacial recolonization routes (e.g., for Picea abies; Scotti et al, 2000). Despite the advent of a new generation of molecular genetic and genomic approaches, linkage maps are widely recognized as essential tools for genetic research and for breeding in many species (Brondani et al, 2006).…”

Host tree and insect genetic diversity on the borderline of natural distribution: a case study of Picea abies and Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) in Greece

“…Rodopi forest of Elatia (Drama, Northern Greece) (Schmidt-Vogt 1974). Due to the importance of this species, both the biodiversity and biogeography of Norway spruce have been extensively investigated by approaches ranging from palinography (Huntley and Birks 1983), fossil pollen-macroremains investigation (Giesecke and Bennett 2004) and morphological features analysis (Krutzsch 1974, Kleinschmitt et al 1981, Kleinschmitt 1982, to DNA approaches (Lagercrantz and Ryman 1990, Scotti et al 2000, Sperisen et al 2001). In the latest and most comprehensive study that incorporated almost all available information, combining fossil pollen data with novel molecular markers, Tollefsrud et al (2008) confirmed the occurrence of glacial refugia from where Norway spruce re-colonized post-glacially the European terrain, giving rise to the current pattern of diversity.…”