The influence of post-glacial migration and hybridization on the gene pool of marginal Quercus pubescens populations in Central Europe.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In Central Europe, the drought-tolerant downy oak (Quercus pubescens) is at the northern edge of its natural distribution range, often growing in small and spatially isolated populations. Here, we elucidate how the population genetic structure of Central European Q. pubescens was shaped by geographical barriers, genetic drift and introgression with the closely related sessile oak (Q. petraea).

Methods

In total, 27 Q. pubescens populations from the northern margin of its natural distribution range were sampled. Based on 16 nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSRs), Bayesian clustering and distance-based analyses were performed to determine the intraspecific genetic structure and to identify genetic barriers. To identify drivers of introgression with Q. petrae

SUBMITTER: Putz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12064428 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature