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Genetic identity and homozygosity in North-Adriatic populations of Posidonia oceanica: An ancient, post-glacial clone?

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Abstract

In the present paper we describe identityand homozygosity of genotypes in the seagrassPosidonia oceanica (L.) Delile(Posidoniaceae) in the Gulf of Trieste(Adriatic Sea). Forty shoots sampled off Kopercoast (Slovenia) and three samples from Grado(Italy) were analysed using microsatellitemarkers. The Koper meadow represents the onlyremarkable extension of Posidoniaoceanica recorded in the North-Adriatic regionsince 30 years. Results show the existence of asingle, homozygous genotype shared by allindividuals. Causes for the observed lack ofheterozygosity and for the presence of asingle, ancient P. oceanica clone in thisregion are discussed. Total absence of geneticvariability is cause of major concern forconservation of the species in this region.

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Correspondence to G. Procaccini.

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Ruggiero, M.V., Turk, R. & Procaccini, G. Genetic identity and homozygosity in North-Adriatic populations of Posidonia oceanica: An ancient, post-glacial clone?. Conservation Genetics 3, 69–72 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014207122382

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014207122382

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