Allozyme diversity of Koompassia malaccensis (Leguminosae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Population genetic study of Koompassia malaccensis, an important tropical timber tree species, was carried out using allozyme markers. Six natural populations, namely, Bukit Bandi, Bukit Lagong, Jerangau, Pasoh, Sungai Lalang and Sungai Menyala were investigated. The results showed that K. malaccensis harboured a higher level of allozyme diversity (mean expected heterozygosity, He = 0.253, mean number of alleles per locus, Aa = 2.8 and effective number of alleles per locus, Ae = 1.27), compared with other regionally distributed tropical long-lived tree species. Majority of the diversity was partitioned within-population (Fst = 0.045). No correlation was detected between geographical distance and genetic distance (Mantel test, r = -0.0031, p = 0.5130). Only one private allele was detected in Sungai Lalang population