Genetic Analysis of Swiss Stone Pine Populations (Pinus cembra L. subsp. cembra) from the Carpathians Using Chloroplast Microsatellites

Abstract

The diversity of Swiss stone pine populations (Pinus cembra subsp. cembra) native to the Carpathians was studied with chloroplast microsatellite markers (cpSSR). Six loci were analyzed in four populations (altogether 148 individuals) and a total number of 22 size variants and 41 combinations referred to as haplotypes were detected. Diversity within populations was found to be high, whereas divergence between the populations was low (Fst= 0.02). The most variable population with the highest haplotype diversity (H=0.956) originated from the Retezat Mountains (South Carpathians). Multi-stemmed individuals were detected mainly in the Southern part of the Calimani Mountains. They were found to be genetically non-homogenous. It is assumed that these clusters of individuals are the result of plants emerging from seed caches by birds. The great haplotypic variation found in cpSSR loci makes all the populations a useful source for gene conservation purposes. Each population should be considered an important element of the local ecosystem diversity.