Genetic variation of natural populations of forest tree species Fraxinus angustifolia by the use of molecular markers

Abstract Poster PresentationJournal URL: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119877016/tocgroupThe study of genetic variation of Fraxinus angustifolia natural populations was the main objective of this work. For the purpose of the work, eight native populations of F. angustifolia were identified and selected all over continental Greece. The molecular markers FEMSATL4, FEMSATL11, FEMSATL16, FEMSATL19 and M2-30 of nuclear microsatellite DNA were used to study genetic diversity. From the results’ analysis, heterozygosity levels within populations and genetic diversity within and among populations were estimated. High polymorphism within populations and high total gene diversity (HT = 0.784) were recorded for all molecular markers. Molecular markers FEMSATL4, FEMSATL11 and M2-30 were more polymorphic in comparison to FEMSATL16 and FEMSATL19. Mean total heterozygosity (all populations) was found high for all molecular markers (Ho = 0.721–0.909, total mean Ho = 0.799). Genetic differentiation among populations was found low (FST 0.024–0.133, total mean FST = 0.059), fact which explains only a small proportion of the total genetic diversity