New insight into the phylogeographic pattern of Liriodendron chinense (Magnoliaceae) revealed by chloroplast DNA: east–west lineage split and genetic mixture within western subtropical China

摘要

BackgroundSubtropical China is a global center of biodiversity and one of the most important refugia worldwide. Mountains play an important role in conserving the genetic resources of species. Liriodendron chinense is a Tertiary relict tree largely endemic to subtropical China. In this study, we aimed to achieve a better understanding of the phylogeographical pattern of L. chinense and to explore the role of mountains in the conservation of L. chinense genetic resources.