Genetic diversity of the easternmost fragmented mediterranean Pinus halepensis Mill. populations

摘要

The genetic structure of fragmented Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) populations in Jordan was investigated using RAPD markers. The level of within-population polymorphism was low, while differentiation among populations was large, suggesting a low level of gene flow. Population differentiation and genetic distance between populations were not related to geographical distance. Clustering based on multivariate discriminant analysis showed that geographically distant populations clustered together with a high clustering accuracy and strong relationship to rainfall. Results supported that the current population configuration is the result of fragmentation of a once larger and contiguous population due to Holocene conditions exacerbated by increased human disturbance of forest ecosystems. Implications for conservation strategies are discussed.