Open AccessGenetic structure and differentiation of Gentiana atuntsiensis W. W. Smith and G. striolata T. N. Ho (Gentianaceae) as revealed by ISSR markers
Author(s) -
ZHANG XIAOLAN,
YUAN YONGMING,
GE XUEJUN
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00635.x
Subject(s) - biology , gentianaceae , gentiana , genetic diversity , outcrossing , analysis of molecular variance , population , genetic divergence , genetic variation , genetic structure , evolutionary biology , botany , genetics , gene , pollen , demography , sociology
The Hengduan Mountains are the core region of the Himalaya hotspot, and are renowned for their high levels of endemism. Gentiana atuntsiensis and G. striolata are two closely related and morphologically similar species endemic to this region. In this study, inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic structure within these two species, as well as the differentiation between them. An analysis of molecular variance‐derived estimate demonstrated only 13.5% of genetic differentiation between the two species. Considering their adjacent distribution patterns, low genetic divergence, and clear clustering into two groups, it is hypothesized that the two species arose from a rapid and recent speciation event induced mainly by geographical isolation. A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed in each species (Shannon’s index of diversity: H sp = 0.324 and 0.391; H pop = 0.225 and 0.274; for G. atuntsiensis and G. striolata , respectively). Most of the genetic variation was partitioned within populations ( Ø ST = 0.232 and 0.226 in G. atuntsiensis and G. striolata , respectively). The large population sizes, outcrossing breeding system, and small, light seeds that disperse widely may explain the genetic structure in both species. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 225–232.