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Genetic Differentiation and Clonality in a Local Population of the Caucasian Endemic Trifolium polyphyllum C.A. Mey. (Fabacae)

  • PLANT GENETICS
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Abstract

Trifolium polyphyllum is a Caucasian endemic of the Fabaceae family peculiar for its inability of nitrogen fixation. Despite this unique trait, the species is insufficiently studied; in particular, little is known about its propagation and dispersal modes. Analyses of ISSR markers in specimens from a population at the Malaya Khatipara Mountain revealed that the species is capable of both sexual and vegetative propagation; however, the former mode dominates. We found out that separate patches within a local population are considerably genetically differentiated within an area of about 2000 m2 (PhiPT = 0.349; p = 0.001). We suppose this may happen owing to a lack of adaptations to seed dispersal. We also suppose that the observed concentration of genetically admixed individuals in the upper parts of slopes is due to peculiarities of the behavior of pollinators. The size of vegetative clones does not exceed 1 m2.

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Funding

This study was performed within the framework of the Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Assignment no. 122042700002-6 (M.A. Galkina, I.A. Schanzer), and was supported by the Research Program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, no. 075-15-2021-1396 (O.B. Zelenova, V.G. Onipchenko). The authors also thank the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for the support provided to the Main Botanical Garden Joint Facilities Center “Gerbarii GBS RAN”, grant no. 075-15-2021-678, where molecular genetic investigation was conducted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia

    O. B. Zelenova & V. G. Onipchenko

  2. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, 127276, Moscow, Russia

    M. A. Galkina & I. A. Schanzer

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  1. O. B. Zelenova
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  2. M. A. Galkina
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  3. V. G. Onipchenko
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  4. I. A. Schanzer
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Correspondence to I. A. Schanzer.

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Zelenova, O.B., Galkina, M.A., Onipchenko, V.G. et al. Genetic Differentiation and Clonality in a Local Population of the Caucasian Endemic Trifolium polyphyllum C.A. Mey. (Fabacae). Russ J Genet 60, 56–65 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795424010137

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