Open AccessGenetic diversity, population structure, and traditional culture of Camellia reticulata
Author(s) -
Xin Tong,
Huang Weijuan,
De Riek Jan,
Zhang Shuang,
Ahmed Selena,
Van Huylenbroeck Johan,
Long Chunlin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.3340
Subject(s) - genetic diversity , amplified fragment length polymorphism , analysis of molecular variance , biology , population , ethnobotany , genetic distance , diversity (politics) , genetic variation , genetic structure , evolutionary biology , botany , demography , anthropology , sociology , medicinal plants
Camellia reticulata is an arbor tree that has been cultivated in southwestern China by various sociolinguistic groups for esthetic purposes as well as to derive an edible seed oil. This study examined the influence of management, socio‐economic factors, and religion on the genetic diversity patterns of Camellia reticulata utilizing a combination of ethnobotanical and molecular genetic approaches. Semi‐structured interviews and key informant interviews were carried out with local communities in China's Yunnan Province. We collected plant material ( n = 190 individuals) from five populations at study sites using single‐dose AFLP markers in order to access the genetic diversity within and between populations. A total of 387 DNA fragments were produced by four AFLP primer sets. All DNA fragments were found to be polymorphic (100%). A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed in C. reticulata samples at both the species ( H sp = 0.3397, I sp = 0.5236) and population (percentage of polymorphic loci = 85.63%, H pop = 0.2937, I pop = 0.4421) levels. Findings further revealed a relatively high degree of genetic diversity within C. reticulata populations (Analysis of Molecular Variance = 96.31%). The higher genetic diversity within populations than among populations of C. reticulata from different geographies is likely due to the cultural and social influences associated with its long cultivation history for esthetic and culinary purposes by diverse sociolinguistic groups. This study highlights the influence of human management, socio‐economic factors, and other cultural variables on the genetic and morphological diversity of C. reticulata at a regional level. Findings emphasize the important role of traditional culture on the conservation and utilization of plant genetic diversity.