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Microsatellite variation and assessment of genetic structure in tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia – Myrtaceae)
Author(s) -
Rossetto M.,
Slade R. W.,
Baverstock P. R.,
Henry R. J.,
Lee L. S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1999.00622.x
Subject(s) - biology , melaleuca alternifolia , microsatellite , selfing , melaleuca , genetic variation , inbreeding , population , loss of heterozygosity , isolation by distance , evolutionary biology , allele , genetics , botany , tea tree oil , gene , demography , sociology , essential oil
Analysis of five microsatellite loci in 500 Melaleuca alternifolia individuals produced 98 alleles that were useful for population genetic studies. Considerable levels of observed heterozygosity were recorded ( H O = 0.724), with ≈ 90% of the variability being detected within populations. A low level of selfing (14%) was suggested to be the principal cause of excess homozygosity in a number of populations (overall F IS = 0.073). This study showed low levels of inbreeding in certain populations as well as a significant isolation‐by‐distance model. Only two groups of populations (Queensland and New South Wales) constituted different genetic provenances as a result of geographical isolation. The M. alternifolia data suggest that microsatellite loci did not always arise by a stepwise mutation process but that larger jumps in allele size may be involved in their evolution.