Morpho-genetic differentiation of Scots pine mtDNA haplotypes and bog populations

Abstract

The genus Pinus has a long evolution history and that is one of the main reasons why species of this genus have a different morphology, are adapted to different habitats and some of them are relict species. The maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes of Scots pine may have preserved distinct features attributable to their post glacial environments. Scots pine bog population because of stronger reproductional isolation may have preserved different haplotypes and specific gene pool in order to survive in harsh conditions. The two mitotypes of Scots pine are identified by DNA markers at the Nad7.1 locus of the mtDNA: (a) the type A, mitotype originating from the southern refugia (type A) and (b) type B mitotype, originating from a northerly refugium west of the southern Ural Mountains (lacking the 5bp indel at the Nand7.1 locus). There is no significant difference between the mitotypes in seed wing shape and other seed and cone properties. Our study indicates that the connection between the present-day cone and seed morphotype, bark type and the postglacial origin in Scots pine is uncertain and no reliable morphological markers can be observed.There are significant differences in genetic structure and diversity between bog and nearby dry site populations. AMOVA revealed significant differentiation of bog pines. Scoring for rare alleles showed two fold more rare alleles in bog pines. All this information is very important for the further genetic investigation of Scots pine and selection researches