Open AccessAssociation between spatial genetic variation and potential distribution in tree fern Alsophila gigantea (Cyatheaceae) in Hainan Island, China
Author(s) -
Ting Wang,
Zhen Wang,
Shufeng Li,
Ying Zhao,
Xiaoxian Ruan,
Yingjuan Su
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
notulae botanicae horti agrobotanici cluj-napoca
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1842-4309
pISSN - 0255-965X
DOI - 10.15835/nbha49312407
Subject(s) - gigantea , genetic diversity , genetic variation , genetic structure , biology , mantel test , population , ecology , evolutionary biology , botany , demography , genetics , gene , sociology
Spatial genetic variation involves spatial genetic structure (SGS) and genetic diversity is important genetic features of plants. We first evaluated spatial genetic structure (SGS) and genetic diversity among four populations of Alsophila gigantea from Hainan Island, China, using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Significant but weak FSGS was found in A. gigantea. High genetic diversity was identified at the species level and the population level. AMOVA analysis revealed a low level of genetic differentiation among the four populations with high gene flow. Mantel test showed no significant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance. It was found that association between annual mean temperature and annual precipitation with FSGS. Combined with these spatial genetic variation, abundant precipitation and suitable temperature create a stable environment for A. gigantea in Hainan Island, which allows the fern to expand rapidly during the LGM. These results further emphasized the role of outcrossing, and history and environmental factors in the evolution of A. gigantea. This study also provided new insights on in local adaptation of A. gigantea to environmental fluctuations, and available genetic data to enhance the conservation for relict tree ferns.