Novel chloroplast DNA polymorphism in a sympatric region of two pines

Abstract

Nine hundred and two individuals from two populations in a Pinus banksiana — P. contora sympatric region were classified by restriction fragment length polymorphisms of two polymorphic chloroplast DNA markers. A large number of novel chloroplast DNA variants were identified which have not been observed in the allopatric ranges of the two parental species. Three apparently recombinant chloroplast DNA genotypes were discovered, in each of which one marker was typical of P. banksiana and the other was typical of P. contorta. These unusual sympatric chloroplast DNA's are evidence that the genetic complexity and rare variants of hybrid zones are not limited to the nuclear genome. Copyright © 1989, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved