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Genetic variability and divergence among Italian populations of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Variabilité génétique et différenciation entre populations italiennes de frêne commun (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

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Abstract

The level of genetic variation throughout the Italian range of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) was estimated using six microsatellite markers. High levels of allelic diversity was detected. The levels of expected heterozygosity for each of the populations ranged from 0.726 to 0.871, with an average of 0.798, and indicated that populations have a high level of genetic variation. A general and significant homozygote excess was found at most loci in all populations, with an overall mean F IS of 0.284. Possible explanations for such situations are discussed. Only 4.9% of the total diversity was attributable to differentiation among populations. Although divergence among pedo-climatic regions explained only a small part of the variance it was possible to observe some partial clustering of populations belonging to the same regions. The contribution of the results in relation to the definition of the most appropriate strategies to collect forest reproductive material is discussed.

Résumé

Le niveau de variation génétique dans l’aire de distribution naturelle du frêne commun (Fraxinus excelsior L.) en Italie a été estimé à l’aide de six marqueurs microsatellite. Des niveaux élevés de diversité allélique ont été détectés. L’hétérozygotie théorique varie de 0,726 à 0,871, avec une moyenne de 0,798, ce qui indique que les populations ont un niveau élevé de variation génétique. Un excès général et significatif de l’homozygotie a été trouvé pour la plupart des loci dans toutes les populations, avec une moyenne globale F IS de 0,284. Des explications possibles pour de telles situations sont proposées. Seulement 4,9 % de toute la diversité est attribuable à la différenciation entre populations. Bien que la divergence entre régions pédo-climatiques explique une petite partie de la variation, il est possible d’observer des regroupements partiels de populations appartenant aux mêmes régions. La contribution de ces résultats à la définition des stratégies les plus appropriées pour rassembler le matériel forestier de reproduction est discutée.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIVAPRA Plant Genetics and Breeding, University of Turin, via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy

    Diana Ferrazzini, Ignazio Monteleone & Piero Belletti

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  1. Diana Ferrazzini
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  2. Ignazio Monteleone
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  3. Piero Belletti
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Correspondence to Piero Belletti.

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Ferrazzini, D., Monteleone, I. & Belletti, P. Genetic variability and divergence among Italian populations of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). Ann. For. Sci. 64, 159–168 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2006100

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2006100

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