Postglacial colonization history reflects in the genetic structure of natural populations of Festuca rubra in Europe.

ABSTRACT: We conducted a large-scale population genetic survey of genetic diversity of the host grass Festuca rubra s.l., which fitness can be highly dependent on its symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae, to evaluate genetic variation and population structure across the European range. The 27 studied populations have previously been found to differ in frequencies of occurrence of the symbiotic fungus E. festucae and ploidy levels. As predicted, we found decreased genetic diversity in previously glaciated areas in comparison with nonglaciated regions and discovered three major maternal genetic groups: southern, northeastern, and northwestern Europe. Interestingly, host populations from Greenland were genetically similar to those from the Faroe Islands and Iceland, suggesting gene f

SUBMITTER: von Crautlein M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6434542 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature