Genetically-and environmentally-dependent processes drive interspecific and intraspecific divergence in the Chinese relict endemic genus Dipteronia

China is a hotspot of relict plant species that were once widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.Recent research has demonstrated that the occurrence of long-term stable refugia in the mountainous regions of central and south-western China allowed their persistence through the late Neogene climate fluctuations.One of these relict lineages is Dipteronia,an oligotypic tree genus with a fossil record extending to the Paleocene.Here,we investigated the genetic variability,demographic dynamics and diversification patterns of the two currently recognized Dipteronia species(Dipteronia sinensis and D.dyeriana).Molecular data were obtained from 45 populations of Dipteronia by genotyping three cpDNA regions,two single copy nuclear genes and 15 simple sequence repeat loci.The genetic study was combined with niche comparison analyses on the environmental space,ecological niche modeling,and landscape connectivity analysis.We found that the two Dipteronia species have highly diverged both in genetic and ecological terms.Despite the incipient speciation processes that can be observed in D.sinensis,the occurrence of long-term stable refugia and,particularly,a dispersal corridor along Daba Shan-west Qinling,likely ensured its genetic and ecological integrity to date.Our study will not only help us to understand how populations of Dipteronia species responded to the tectonic and climatic changes of the Cenozoic,but also provide insight into how Arcto-Tertiary relict plants in East Asia survived,evolved,and diversified.

Comparative Study of Genetic Structure and Genetic Diversity betweenWild and Cultivated Populations of Taxus cuspidata,Northeast China

Taxus cuspidata is a rare plant with important medicinal and ornamental value.Aiming at the obvious differences between wild and cultivated populations of T.cuspidata from Northeast China,a total of 61 samples,that is,33 wild yews and 28 cultivated yews were used to analyze the differences and correlations of the kinship,genetic diversity,and genetic structure between them by specific length amplified fragment sequencing(SLAF-seq).Finally,470725 polymorphic SLAF tags and 58622 valid SNP markers were obtained.Phylogenetic analysis showed that 61 samples were classified into 2 clusters:wild populations and cultivated populations,and some wild yews were categorized into the cultivated populations;the genetic diversity analysis showed that the Nei diversity index of wild populations(0.4068)was smaller than that of cultivated populations(0.4414),and the polymorphic information content(PIC)of wild populations(0.2861)was smaller than that of cultivated populations(0.3309).The genetic differentiation analysis showed that the total populations of gene diversity(H_(t))of cultivated and wild populations were respectively 0.8159 and 0.5685,the coefficient of gene differentiation(G_(st))of cultivated and wild populations was respectively 0.3021 and 0.1068,and the gene flow(N_(m))(2.4967)of wild populations was larger than cultivated populations(0.8199).The molecular variance(AMOVA)revealed that inter-population variation accounted for 29.57%of the total genetic variation,while intra-population variation accounted for 70.42% of the total genetic variation(p<0.001),this suggested that the genetic variation in the T.cuspidata is mainly attributed to within-population factors.In conclusion,the genetic distance between geographical ecological groups of wild populations was generally smaller than that of cultivated populations,and the degree of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation was smaller than that of cultivated populations.As evident,the utilization of SLAF-seq technology enables efficient and accurate development of SNP markers suitable for genetic analysis of T.cuspidata species.These developed SNP markers can provide a molecular foundation for T.cuspidata breeding,construction of genetic maps,variety identification,and association analysis of agronomic traits.

Genetic Structure of the Oriental River Prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) from the Yangtze and Lancang Rivers, Inferred from COI Gene Sequence

This study analyzed nueleotide sequences from the mitochondrial eytochrome oxidase submit （COI） gene region （450 bp） to investigate the genetic structure of the oriental river prawn （ Macrobrachium nipponense ） among nine populations from the Yangtze and Lancang Rivers. A total of 79 individuals were collected for this work. Eighty-nine nucleotides were found to be variable, resulting in 46 haplotypes. Among the nine populations, the population from Kunming shows the greatest level of variability （h = 1.000, π = 0.028）, whereas the population from Cbongqing exhibits the lowest level of variability （h = 0.700,π = 0.008）. Analysis of molecular variance suggested that of the total genetic diversity, 9.66% was attributable to inter-population diversity and the remainder （90.34%） to differences within populations. A molecular phylogenetic tree constructed using the Neighbor-joining （N J） method showed that the 46 haplotypes were assigned to two clades associated with geographic regions. These results provide basic information for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of this species.

Genetic Structure of Malus sieversii Population from Xinjiang,China,Revealed by SSR Markers

One hundred and nine Malus sieversii accessions from four geographical populations located at Kuerdening in Mohe town, Gongliu County, Jiaowutuohai, in Xinyuan County, Daxigou in Houcheng County of Ily State, and Baerluke Mountain in Yumin County of Tacheng State, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China were studied by SSR markers. The purpose of the study was to determine the genetic structure and diversity in these eco-geographical populations with eight pair SSR primers of apple. The results indicated that： an average of 16 bands was detected in the four populations. The percentage of polymorphic bands in Gongliu population （89.06%） was the highest in the four populations. The average Nei＇s gene diversity index was 0.257 for all the loci. Totally, 128 polymorphic loci were detected and the percentage of polymorphic loci （P） was 100%, 88.28%, 84.83%, 87.50%, and 87.12%, respectively, at the species level and Gongliu, Xinyuan, Huocheng, and Yumin population levels. The Nei＇s gene diversity index （H = 0.2619） and Shannon＇s information index （1 = 0.4082） in the species level were higher than in the population level. The Nei＇s gene diversity index and Shannon＇s information index in the four populations were Gongliu 〉 Huocheng 〉 Xinyuan 〉 Yumin. Gongliu population and Xinyuan population were the highest in genetic identity and the closest in genetic distance. Gene flow between the populations was 7.265 based on genetic differentiation coefficient （GST = 0.064）. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that the genetic relationships between the Gongliu and Xinyuan population were the closest, and the Yumin population were the farthest with the other three populations. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that the four geographical populations located in Gongliu, Xinyuan, Huocheng, and Yumin were relatively independent populations. Concurrently, there was also mild gene exchange between the populations. On the basis of the study of population genetic structure and the highest genetic diversity, Gongliu population should be given a high priority consideration in Malus sieversii population＇s in situ germplasm conservation.

Population Genetic Diversity in Chinese Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivars Revealed by Fluorescent-AFLP Markers

Eighty-five pomegranate （Punica granatum L.） cultivars from six geographical populations located at Shandong, Anhui, Shaanxi, Henan, Yunnan, and Xinjiang Provinces were studied for its population genetic diversity by means of fluorescent-AFLP markers. The results indicated that 135-185 polymorphic loci were amplified by eight pairs of primers at species level. An average of 158.25 polymorphic loci was amplified for each primer combination. The polymorphism percentage ranged from 62.5% to 86.11%, and the average polymorphism percentage was 73.26%. This indicated that there was plentiful genetic diversity in pomegranate cultivars. The genetic diversity at the species level was higher than that at the population level. The order of the genetic diversity was Henan population 〉 Xinjiang population 〉 Shaanxi population 〉 Anhui population 〉 Shandong population 〉 Yunnan population. Variance analysis showed that there was significant difference between populations in genetic diversity. The genetic differentiation coefficient between populations （Gsr） was 0.2018, which indicated that gene differentiation was mainly within the population, and between populations, it accounted for 20.18% of the total variation. Gene flow （Nm） between the populations measured was 1.9027 based on the genetic differentiation coefficient between populations, indicating that there was mild gene flow between populations. The UPGMA cluster analysis showed that most accessions from the same population were clustered together, but there was partly gene exchange. All genetic parameters indicated that there was plentiful genetic diversity in pomegranate cultivars in China, of which Henan population was significantly higher than the other populations, and it had wide application foreground in pomegranate breeding in China.

Population Genetic Structure in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars Revealed by Fluorescent-AFLP Markers in Southern Xinjiang,China

Population-wide genetic structure was studied using fluorescent-AFLP markers on 85 apricot （Prunus armeniaca L.） cultivars collected from Kuche, Kashi, Hetian in the Tarim Basin, southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic structure and genotypic diversity among the different eco-geographical populations. Based on the results from this study, 8 pairs of fluorescent-AFLP primers showed clear electrophoregram and high polymorphism amongst the 64 pairs of EcoR Ⅰ/Mse Ⅰ （Mse Ⅰ - a FAM fluorescent marked primer） primers screened. There was a significant polymorphic difference for the same primer pair in different populations and for the same population with different primer pairs. The percentage of polymorphic loci （P） at species level was higher than Kuche, Hetian, Kashi population levels, respectively. The Nei＇s gene diversity index （H） and Shannon＇s information index （I） at species level were higher than those of Kuche, Hetian, and Kashi at population level, respectively. H and I of Kuche population were the highest amongst the three populations. Apricot population genetic diversity was found mainly within the population, Genetic differentiation coefficient between populations （GST） was 0.0882. Gene flow Nm between the populations was 5.1689. Population genetic identity was between 0.9772-0.9811 and genetic distance was between 0.0191-0.0232. These results further indicated that the similarity between populations was higher and the genetic distance between populations was smaller. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicates that the geographical populations at Kuche, Kashi, Hetian were relatively independent Mendelian populations. Concurrently, there was also partial gene exchange between the populations. All the evidences indicated that the genetic diversity in Kuche population was the highest, suggesting that it could be a transition population from wild apricot to cultivated apricot. There were abundant genetic diversities in apricot cultivar populations in southern Xinjiang, China, which provide promising germplasm for further breeding and theoretical basis for biodiversity conservation and utilization for apricot population in this area.

Genetic Structure of Reaumuria soongorica Population in Fukang Desert, Xinjiang and Its Relationship with Ecological Factors

Genetic structure and differentiation of Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim population from the desert of Fukang, Xinjiang, were assessed by means of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. High genetic diversity and differentiation were revealed in the population of R soongorica by 15 random primers. One hundred and thirty-six individuals from seven subpopulations were sampled in the study. Seventy-one loci have been detected, and among them 69 were polymorphic. The mean proportion of polymorphic loci (PPB) was 97.18%. The analyses of Shannon information index (0.307 5), Nei's gene diversity (0.312 7) and G(ST)(0.312 0) indicated that there were more genetic variations within the subpopulations than those among the subpopulations. The results of AMOVA analysis showed that 61.58% of the genetic variations existed within subpopulations, and 38.02% among the subpopulations. The gene flow among the subpopulations of R soongorica (Nm = 1.102 8) was much less than that of the common anemophytes (Nm = 5.24), so genetic differentiation among the subpopulations occurred to some extent. Additionally, through the use of clustering and the correlation analyses, we found that the genetic structure of natural population of R soongorica was related to some ecological factors (soil factors mainly) of the oasis-desert transition zone. The genetic diversity level of R soongorica had negative correlation with the content of total soil P and Cl significantly (P < 0.05). On the contrary, it had significant positive correlation with CO32- (P < 0.05), showing that the distribution of the individuals of R soongorica in the sampled areas correlates with certain soluble salt. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of the natural population of R soongorica increased with the decreasing of the content of soil organic matters, water, total N and total P in soil. The paper concluded that the microenvironment ecological factors played an important role in the adaptive evolution of R soongorica population.

Analysis of Genetic Structure of Natural Populations of Castanopsis fargesii by RAPDs

Genetic diversity and population genetic structure in 188 individuals from five natural populations of Castampsis fargesii Franch. were studied by RAPD markers. Three hundred and eighty-five loci were identified with 41 oligonucleotide primers, out of which 157 loci were polymorphic and accounted for 40.78% of total genetic diversity at species level. Shannon's indices of diversity (I) and Nei's gene diversity ( h) were 0.459 7 and 0.296 at the species level, respectively. The result showed that genetic variation of C. fargesii populations mainly existed within populations. Genetic differentiation (Hsp-hpop)/Hsp estimated with Shannon's index of diversity and coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) were 0.047 6 and 0.042 9 respectively, which were confirmed by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Therefore, it is apparent that within-population variation accounted for 94.97% and among-populations variation accounted for only 5.03% of the total genetic diversity. AMOVA also indicated that there was significant differentiation among populations as well as among individuals within a population.

Genetic structure of wintering Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences

The Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) is a waterbird wintering in the wetlands of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China. The gradual habitat loss resulting from wetland degradation may have posed negative effects on the structure of our wintering populations. For its effective protection, it is important to conduct an intensive study on the genetic structure of this population. A total of 221 faecal samples, nine feather samples and four muscle samples of Hooded Cranes from four wintering populations, i.e., from Caizi Lake and Shengjin Lake in Anhui, Poyang Lake in Jiangxi and Chongming Dongtan in Shanghai, were collected for this study. Full-length 1103–1104 bp mtDNA D-loop sequences from 72 samples were amplified using PCR. Based on our amplified D-loop sequences and the sequences of two individual birds obtained from GenBank (AB017625 and AB023813), we analyzed the genetic structure of these four wintering Hooded Crane populations. Twenty six variable sites were found among 72 target sequences in the four wintering populations and 23 haplotypes were defined. Genetic diversity analyses showed that the haplotype diversity of Hooded Cranes was 0.823 ± 0.042 with a nucleotide diversity of 0.00157 ± 0.00021. The FST values of the four populations show that there is no significant genetic differentiation among the populations of Hooded Cranes wintering in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Tajima’s D and Fu’s tests suggest that the Hooded Crane populations may have experienced population expansion in their evolutionary history.

Study on Population Genetic Structure and Pathogenicity of Ustilaginoidea virens from Anhui Province

In order to determine population genetic structure and pathogenicity of Ustilaginoidea virens in the major rice-growing areas of Anhui Province, total 92 U. virens strains were collected from 28 rice-planting counties （cities） of Anhui Province. Their genetic diversity was analyzed by using REP-PCR （repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence PCR）, and pathogenicity was determined with artificial inoculation method. The results showed that U. virens in rice-growing regions of Anhui Province had a rich genetic diversity. At the similarity level of 0.76, the 92 U. virens strains could be classified into 7 groups. Significant differences were found in pathogenicity among the 24 U. virens strains belonging to different groups, which showed no association with territorial source of U. virens strain or cluster method adopted by this study. Strain pathogenicity and rice varieties showed significant specificity.

Analysis on Genetic Structure of Spartina alterniflora Populations in China Based on EH277045-derived Sequence

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the genetic structure of eight populations of Spartina alterniflora in China at the nuclear DNA level.[Method] The EH277045-derived sequences were amplified from 75 samples in 8 populations and directly sequenced.Nucleotide diversity,haplotype diversity,the mean value of Nei＇s genetic distance,genetic differentiation index FST and other genetic parameters were calculated to estimate the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of S.alterniflora populations in China.[Result] 75 samples were divided into 25 haplotypes by 28 polymorphic sites.Relatively high nucleotide diversity（π=0.011） and haplotype diversity（Hd=0.794） were detected.The mean value of Nei＇s genetic distance and genetic differentiation index FST among eight populations were 0.056 and 0.222,respectively,the Nei＇s genetic distance ranged from 0.000 to 0.189 and FST ranged from 0.000 to 0.444 between each pair of the eight populations.AMOVA result revealed that 79% and 21% of the total genetic variation was partitioned within and among S.alterniflora populations,respectively.[Conclusion] At the nuclear DNA level,there were a relatively high level of genetic diversity and a relatively low level of genetic differentiation among S.alterniflora populations in China,and the genetic diversity existed mainly within rather than among populations.

Microsatellites underestimate genetic divergence in the Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)

Although a growing number of both sequence-based and microsatellite nuclear loci have been used to infer genetic structures, their relative efficiencies remain poorly understood. In our study, we used the Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus) to explore the resolving ability of these two types of markers. The south-western and central mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogroups were divergent to some extent in sequence-based nuclear data, while mixed together in microsatellites data. The F ST values among clades were about four times lower in microsatellite loci than those in sequence-based nuclear loci. We are of the opinion that size homoplasy may have contributed to the inability of microsatellites to uncover differentiation. Our results suggest that sequence-based nuclear loci outperformed microsatellite loci in detecting population structures, especially those focused on populations with large effective population sizes. There was no significant correlation between F ST values and allelic size variability, which suggested that the efficiency of microsatellite loci in detecting genetic structure may be independent of their polymorphism. F ST is better than R ST in detecting intraspecific divergence due to the high variance of R ST . In agreement with sequence-based nuclear loci, microsatellite loci did resolve the genetic distinctness of the Taiwan Residents phylogroup. The genetic differentiation between the Taiwan Residents and continental clades may involve allopatric divergence without gene flow.

Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the Daurian Partridge(Perdix dauuricae) in China,assessed by microsatellite variation

The Daurian Partridge(Perdix dauuricae) is a kind of hunting bird with high economic value.Genetic diversity and structure in the Daurian Partridge were studied by analyzing eight microsatellite loci in 23 populations found throughout the range of the species in China.The objectives were to evaluate the consequences on genetic diversity and differentiation of Daurian Partridge populations and to obtain a profound genetic insight for future management decisions and for effective measures to protect and exploit Daurian Partridges.The results showed that microsatellites were polymorphic in all Daurian Partridge populations,with a high level of genetic diversity over all the loci,especially in the Qaidam Basin populations which have the highest level of diversity.Significant genetic divergence was observed among different groups as well as between populations within the same group;most pairwise FST values were highly significant.Both phylogenetic trees and Bayesian clustering analyses revealed clear differentiation among the 23 populations of the Daurian Partridge,which were classified into two genetically differentiated groups.A bottleneck analysis indicated that Daurian Partridge populations have experienced a recent bottleneck.Our study argues that the Qaidam populations,North China populations,JN population,ZJC population,and Liupan Mountain populations should be paid special attention in order to retain adequate population sizes for maintaining genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of mud crab Scylla serrata populations from southeastern China

The genetic diversity and differentiation of 6 mud crab Scylla serrata populations from southeastern China are investigated using allozyme electrophoresis. The mean number of alleles per locus population is 1.3 ± 0.1; the percentage of polymorphic loci per population is 27.3; the observed heterozygosity ranges from (0.195±0.083) to ( 0.241±0.090) and the expected heterozygosity ranges from ( 0.105±0.043 ) to ( 0.131±0.047 ). The coefficient of gene differentiation among populations is low (Fst =0.032), indicating that only 3.2 % of the total genetic diversity comes from inter-population, while the remaining 96.8 % comes from intra-population differences. The genetic distance among populations is 0.000-0.008 (the average is 0.002). Gene flow among the populations is large (Nm = 7.56).Genetic structure is very similar among 6 Scylla serrata populations.

Genetic Variation in Triticum turgidum L. ssp. turgidum Landraces from China Assessed by EST-SSR Markers

It was helpful for the wheat improvement to evaluate the genetic resources of Triticum turgidum L. ssp. turgidum landraces. In this study, 68 turgidum landraces accessions, belonging to four geographic populations in China, were investigated by using EST-SSR markers. A total of 63 alleles were detected on 22 EST-SSR loci, and the number of alleles on each locus ranged from 1 to 5, with an average of 2.9. The results of the analysis of molecular variance （AMOVA） indicated that 92.5% of the total variations was attributed to the genetic variations within population, whereas only 7.5% variations among populations. Although the four populations had similar genetic diversity parameters, Sichuan population was yet distinguished from other populations when comparing the population samples in pairs. Significant correlations were detected by the statistic analysis among six genetic diversity parameters among each other. The selection difference between heterozygosty and homozygosty was also observed among different EST-SSR locus. The genetic similarity （GS） ranged from 0.18 to 0.98, with the mean of 0.72, and all accessions could be clustered into 7 groups. The dendrogram suggested that the genetic relationships among turgidum accessions evaluated by EST-SSR markers were unrelated to their geographic distributions. These results implied that turgidum landraces from China had the unique characters of genetic diversity.

A Discussion on Possible Indicators Related to Genetic Structure Changes in Plant Germplasm Conservation

The purpose of the present paper is to study and develop indicators and procedures for the evaluation of genetic structure changes in germplasm conservation due to social and natural environment reasons. Some basic concepts in germplasm study were introduced at first. Then, six kinds of indicators for genetic diversity as a measure of genetic potential of a germplasm collection were presented, i.e., numbers of different entities at certain level, evenness of the entity distribution, genetic similarity and genetic distance, genetic variance and genetic coefficient of variation, multivariate genetic variation indices, and coefficient of parentage. It was pointed out that genetic dispersion did not provide a complete concept of genetic diversity if without any information from genetic richness. Based on the above, the indicators for genetic erosion as the genetic structure changes of germplasm conservation due to social reasons, the indicators of genetic vulnerability as the genetic structure changes of germplasm conservation due to environmental stresses, the measurement of genetic drift and genetic shift as the genetic structure changes of germplasm collection during reproduction or seed increase were reviewed and developed. Furthermore, the estimation procedures of the indicators by using molecular markers were suggested. Finally, the case studies on suitable conservation sample size of self-pollinated and open-pollinated populations were given for reference.

Analysis of genetic diversity and structure across a wide range of germplasm reveals genetic relationships among seventeen species of Malus Mill,native to China

China is a center of diversity for Malus Mill,with 27 native species including 21 wild species and six domesticated species.We applied a set of 19 simple sequence repeat markers to genotype 798 accessions of 17 species(12 wild species and five cultivated species)of Malus originating from 14 provinces in China.A total of 500 alleles were detected.Diversity statistics indicated a high level of genetic variation as quantified by the average values of the effective allele number(N_(e)).expected heterozygosity(H_(e)),and Shannon's Information Index(I)(10.309,0.886,and 2.545,respectively).Malus sieversii(MSR;H_(e)=0.814,I=2.041,N_(e)=6.054),M.baccata(MBB;H_(e)=0.848,/=2.350,N_(e)=8.652),M.toringoides(MTH;He=0.663,I=1.355,N_(e)=3.332),and M.hupehensis(MHR;H_(e)=0.539,I=0.912,N_(e)=0.579)showed a higher level of genetic diversity in this study than the previous studies.MSR and MBB contributed to the origin and evolution of some accessions of M.domestica subsp.chinensis(MDC).However,other accessions of MDC showed a closer genetic distance with MBB and cultivated species,especially M.robusta(MRB),M.asiatica(MAN),and M.prunifolia(MPB).Not all accessions of MDC were descended from MSR in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.This research provides novel insights into the genetic relationships of Malus native to China,which will be useful for genetic association studies,germplasm conservation,and breeding programs.

High regional genetic differentiation of an endangered relict plant Craigia yunnanensis and implications for its conservation

Of the genus Craigia,widespread in the Tertiary,only two relict species survived to modern times.One species is now possibly extinct and the other one,Craigia yunnanensis,is severely endangered.Extensive surveys have located six C.yunnanensis populations in Yunnan province,southwest China.Using fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP),the genetic diversity and population structure of these populations were examined.It was found that genetic diversity of C.yunnanensis was moderate at the species level,but low at regional and population levels.Analysis of population structure showed significant genetic differentiation between Wenshan and Dehong regions,apparently representing two geographically isolated for long time refuges.There are also clear indications of isolation between populations,which,together with anthropogenically caused decline of population size,will lead to general loss of the species genetic variation with subsequent loss of adaptive potential.To conserve the genetic integrity of C.yunnanensis,we recommend that ex-situ conservation should include representative samples from every population of the two differentiated regions(e.g.Wenshan and Dehong).The crosses between individuals originated from different regions should be avoided because of a high risk of outbreeding depression.As all the extant populations of C.yunnanensis are in unprotected areas with strong anthropogenic impact,there is no alternative to reintroduction of C.yunnanensis into suitable protected locations.

Genetic structure of needle morphological and anatomical traits of Pinus yunnanensis

Pinus yunnanensis Franch. is an particular conifer tree species in Yunnan-Guizhou plateau in south- west China. The morphological and anatomical traits of needles are important to evaluate geographic variation and population dynamics of conifer species. Seedlings from seven populations of P. yunnanensis were analyzed, look- ing at 22 morphological and anatomical needle traits. The results showed that variations among and within popula- tions were significantly different for all traits and the variance components within populations were generally higher than that among populations in the most tested needle traits. The proportions of three-needle fascicle were significantly different among populations. The traits related to needle size in both morphology and anatomy were positive with latitude and negative with annual temperature and precipitation. Ratio indices, including mesophyllarea/vascular bundle area, mesophyll area/resin canals area, vascular bundle area/resin canals area and mesophyU area/（resin canals area and vascular bundle area）, were negatively correlated with elevation and positively corre- lated with the annual mean temperature, showing some fitness feature for the populations. Needle traits were more significantly correlated with longitude than with other four environmental factors. Needle length was significantly correlated with almost all environmental factors. First four principal components accounted for 81.596 % of the variation with eigenvalues 〉1; the differences among populations were mainly dependent on needle width, stomatal density, section areas of vascular bundle, total resin canals, and mesophyll, as well as area ratio traits. Seven populations were divided into three categories by Euclidean distance. Variations in needle traits among the populations have shown systematic microevolution in terms of geographic impact on P. yunnanensis. This study would provide empirical data to characterize adaptation and genetic variation of P. yunnanensis, which would be helpful for management of genetic resources and reason- able utilization of them in future.

Comparative Analysis of Population Genetic Structure in Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) Biotypes B and Q Based on ISSR Marker

Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） biotypes B and Q are two invasive biotypes in the species complex. The comparison of the population genetic structure of the two biotypes is of significance to show their invasive mechanism and to their control. The intersimple sequence repeats （ISSR） marker was used to analyze the 16 B-biotype populations and 4 Q-biotype populations worldwide with a Trialeurodes vaporariorum population in Shanxi Province, China, and a B. tabaci non-B/Qbiotype population in Zhejiang Province, China, was used as control populations. The analysis of genetic diversity showed that the diversity indexes of biotype Q including Nei＇s gene diversity index, Shannon informative index, and the percentage of polymorphic loci were higher than those of biotype B. The high genetic diversity of biotype Q might provide the genetic basis for the excellent ecological adaptation. Cluster analysis suggested that the ISSR could not be used in the phylogenetic analysis though it could easily distinguish the biotypes of B. tabaci. The difference of the population genetic structure between the biotype B and the biotype Q exists based on the ISSR marker. Meanwhile, the results suggested that the molecular marker has its limitation in the phylogenetic analysis among the biotypes of B. tabaci.