Skip to main content
Log in

Observations on the genetic structure and mating system of ponderosa pine in the Colorado front range

  • Published:
Theoretical and Applied Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Variation of peroxidase enzymes is analyzed both in mature needle tissue and in open-pollinated seedling families of ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, and is identified as being controlled by a single Mendelian locus. Variation at this locus, analyzed in 1, 386 individuals, is used in the analysis of population differentiation and the mating system. Significant variation of gene frequencies is detected over distances of several hundred meters, and is found to be associated with slopes of different aspects. Ponderosa pine is wind-pollinated, and an analysis of the mating system indicates that the level of outcrossing is greater than 90 %. Selection specific for different environments is evidently strong enough to overcome the homogenizing force of migration and produce population fissuring in ponderosa pine.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Allard, R.W.: The mating system and microevolution. Genetics 79, 115–126 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Antonovics, J.; Bradshaw, A.D.; Turner, J.R.G.: Heavy metal tolerance in plants. Adv. Ecol. Res. 7, 1–85 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber, H.N.: Selection in natural populations. Heredity 20, 551–572 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, E.M.: Gene enzyme variation in three sympatric species of Littorina. Biol. Bull. 145, 83–90 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, A.D.: Some evolutionary consequences of being a plant. Evol. Biol. 5, 25–47 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A.H.D.; Allard, R.W.: Estimation of the mating system in open pollinated maize populations using isozyme polymorphisms. Genetics 66, 133–145 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A.H.D.; Matheson, A.C.; Eldridge, K.G.: Estimation of the mating system of Eucalyptus obliqua L'Herit. by using allozyme polymorphisms. Aust. J. Bot. 23, 931–949 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Callaham, R.Z.; Liddicoet, A.R.: Altitudinal variation at 20 years in Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines. J. Forestry 59, 814–820 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, J.F.; Fowler, D.P.: Inbreeding in neighboring trees in two white spruce populations. Silvae Genetica 25, 29–34 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colwell, R.N.: The use of radioactive isotopes in determining spore distribution patterns. Am. J. Bot. 38, 511–523 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrlich, P.; Raven, P.: Differentiation of populations. Science 165, 1228–1232 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Endler, J.A.: Gene flow and population differentiation. Science 179, 243–250 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, J.H.; Ledig, F.T.: Microevolution of the photosynthetic temperature optimum in relation to the elevational complex gradient. Can. J. Bot. 50, 1231–1235 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleaves, J.T.: Gene flow mediated by wind-borne pollen. Heredity 31., 355–365 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, M.C.; Mitton, J.B.: Genetic differentiation among growth forms of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir at tree line. Arctic and Alpine Res. (in press, 1977)

  • Hamrick, J.L.: Vatiation and selection in Western Montane species. II. Variation within and between populations of White Fir on an elevational transect. Theor. Appl. Genet. 47, 27–34 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawksworth, F.G.: Distribution of dwarfmistletoe in relation to topography on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico. J. Forestry 57, 919–922 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain, S.K.; Bradshaw, A.D.: Evolutionary divergence among adjacent plant populations. I. The evidence and its theoretical analysis. Heredity 110, 407–441 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahler, A.; Clegg, M.C.; Allard, R.W.: Evolutionary changes in the mating system of an experimental population of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 72, 943–946 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerster, H.W.; Levin, D.A.: Neighborhood size in Lithospermum carolinensis. Genetics 60, 577–587 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, M.; Ohta, T.: Protein polymorphism as a phase of molecular evolution. Nature Lond. 229, 467–469 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koehn, R.K.; Mitton, J.B.: Population genetics of marine pelecypods I. Ecological heterogeneity and evolutionary strategy at an enzyme locus. Amer. Natur. 106, 47–56 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koski, V.: A study of pollen dispersal as a mechanism of gene flow in conifers. Commun. Inst. Forest Fenn. 70 (4) 78 p. (1970)

  • Levin, D.A.; Kerster, H.: Density dependent gene dispersal in Liatris. Amer. Natur. 103, 61–73 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, D.A.; Kerster, H.W.: Gene flow in seed plants. Evol. Biol. 7, 139–220 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Libby, W.J.; Stettler, R.F.; Seitz, F.W.: Forest genetics and forest-tree breeding. Ann. Rev. Genet. 3, 469–494 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Linhart, Y.B.: Ecological and behavioral determinants of pollen dispersal in hummingbird — pollinated Heliconia. Amer. Nat. 107, 511–523 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Linhart, Y.B.: Intra-population differentiation in annual plants. I. Veronica peregrina raised under non-competitive conditions. Evolution 28, 232–243 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, T.: Genetic effects of fluctuating temperature in populations of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 66, 401–416 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J.W.: Ecosystem of the east slope of the front range in Colorado. University of Colorado Studies, Biology §8. Boulder, Colorado: University of Colorado Press 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, E.: Animal Species and Evolution. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudin, D.; Eriksson, G.; Ekberg, I.; Rasmuson, M.: Studies of allele frequencies and inbreeding in scots pine populations by the aid of the isozyme technique. Silvae Genetica 23, 1–3 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarvas, R.: Investigations on the flowering and seed crop of Pinus sylvestris. Comm. Inst. For. Fenn. 53, 4 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaal, B.A.: Population structure and local differentiation in Liatris cylindracea. Amer. Nat. 109, 511–528 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, G.H.: Silviculture of southwestern ponderosa pine: The status of our knowledge. U.S. For. Serv. Res. Pap. RM-123 (1974)

  • Selander, R.K.; Kaufman, D.W.: Genetic structure of populations of the brown snail (Helix aspera). I. Microgeographic variation. Evolution 29, 385–401 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, C.R.; Prasad, R.: Starch gel electrophoresis of enzymes — a compilation of recipes. Biochem. Genet. 4, 297–320 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Slobodkin, L.B.: The strategy of evolution. Am. Scient. 52, 342–357 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Slobodkin, L.B.: Toward a predictive theory of evolution. In: Population biology and evolution (ed. Lewontin, R.C.), pp. 187–205. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Snaydon, R.W.; Davies, M.S.: Rapid population differentiation in a mosaic environment. II. Morphological variation in Anthoxanthum odoratum. Evolution 26, 390–405 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R.; Rohlf, F.J.: Biometry. San Francisco: Freeman 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Solbrig, O.T.: Breeding system and genetic variation in Leavenworthia. Evolution 26, 155–160 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Squillace, A.E.: Average genetic correlations among offspring from open-pollinated forest trees. Silvae Genetica 23, 149–156 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, K.; Roche, L.: Genetics of forest ecosystems. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Tigerstedt, P.M.A.: Studies on isozyme variation in marginal and central populations of Picea abies. Hereditas 75, 47–60 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, G.C.; Koehn, R.K.; Mitton, J.B.: Genetic differentiation without isolation in the American eel, Anguilla rostrata. Evolution 27, 192–204 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfenbarger, D.O.: Dispersion of small organisms. Incidence of viruses and pollen, dispersion of fungus spores and insects. Lloydia 322, 1–106 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Workman, P.L.; Niswander, J.D.: Populations studies on southwestern Indian tribes. II. Local differentiation in the Papago. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 22, 24–49 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by W.J. Libby

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mitton, J.B., Linhart, Y.B., Hamrick, J.L. et al. Observations on the genetic structure and mating system of ponderosa pine in the Colorado front range. Theoret. Appl. Genetics 51, 5–13 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306055

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306055

Key Words

Navigation