%0 Research article
%T Microsatellite polymorphism in the edaphic spruce, Picea asperata, originating from the mountains of China
%A Wang, Yuhua
%A Korpelainen, Helena
%A Li, Chunyang
%D 2006
%J Silva Fennica
%V 40
%N 4
%R doi:10.14214/sf.314
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/314
%X Microsatellite variation of Picea asperata Mast. originating from the  mountains of China was investigated by analyzing variation at seven SSR  loci in 250 individuals representing ten populations. A fair degree of  genetic diversity and considerable population subdivision occurred with  the mean gene diversity (H) of 0.707, and genetic distances among  populations varying between 0.121 and 0.224 (F<sub>ST</sub>) and between 0.100 and 0.537 (R<sub>ST</sub>).  However, inter-population genetic distances showed no correlation with  geographic distances between the population sites. This ruled out a  simple isolation by distance model and suggested that migration does not  have a great impact. In fact, the amount of gene flow, detected using  private alleles, was very low, equaling only 0.753. Allele permutation  tests revealed that stepwise-like mutations, coupled with genetic drift,  could contribute to population differentiation. Moreover, significant  genetic differences between populations were detected at most loci. The  results indicate that natural selection, presumably through  environmental stress, may be one of the main factors causing  micro-geographical differentiation in the genetic structure of P.  asperata. Based on SSR genotypes, 70% of the 250 individuals were  correctly classified into their sites of origin. This suggests that  microsatellites (SSRs) are effective in distinguishing genotypes of P.  asperata originating from diverse eco-geographical sites in China.