Abstract
Allozyme variation in 83 European populations of the Melica ciliata/transsilvanica species complex has been investigated. In spite of a diploid chromosome number, most loci were duplicated and patterns of within-population variation were not explainable unless apomixis or uncommon patterns of chromosomal segregation were assumed. Allelic richness and genetic diversity were very high but most of the variation (55-98%) was due to population differentiation. Geographic patterns were analysed both using phenetic, based on allele frequencies within populations, and cladistic, based on multi-locus genotypes, methods. Both methods congruently recognised three large groups of populations with discrete geographic distributions, in addition to a number of smaller groups. Of the three main groups, one was distributed in eastern and central Europe, one was restricted to western Europe north of the Alps and one was distributed in Iberia, Brittany and along the western shores of the Mediterranean. These groups are likely to have had separate histories but there appears to have been significant gene-flow among them. Among the less distinct groups, it was suggestive that some, e.g. the group containing all populations from the disjunct distribution in the Baltic basin, have been formed by introgression between the three major groups, whereas other deviating populations may represent additional distinct entities.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-30 |
Journal | Plant Systematics and Evolution |
Volume | 248 |
Issue number | 1-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Plant Ecology and Systematics (Closed 2011) (011004000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Ecology