The colonization history of Juniperus brevifolia (Cupressaceae) in the Azores Islands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A central aim of island biogeography is to understand the colonization history of insular species using current distributions, fossil records and genetic diversity. Here, we analyze five plastid DNA regions of the endangered Juniperus brevifolia, which is endemic to the Azores archipelago.

Methodology/principal findings

The phylogeny of the section Juniperus and the phylogeographic analyses of J. brevifolia based on the coalescence theory of allele (plastid) diversity suggest that: (1) a single introduction event likely occurred from Europe; (2) genetic diversification and inter-island dispersal postdated the emergence of the oldest island (Santa Maria, 8.12 Ma); (3) the genetic differentiation found in populations on the islands with higher age and smaller distan

SUBMITTER: Rumeu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3218011 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature