Spatial genetic structure and diversity of natural populations of Aesculus hippocastanum L. in Greece.

ABSTRACT: Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) is an endemic and relict species from the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot and a popular ornamental tree. Knowledge about the evolutionary history of this species remains scarce. Here, we ask what historical and ecological factors shaped the pattern of genetic diversity and differentiation of this species. We genotyped 717 individuals from nine natural populations using microsatellite markers. The influence of distance, topography and habitat variables on spatial genetic structure was tested within the approaches of isolation-by-distance and isolation-by-ecology. Species niche modeling was used to project the species theoretical range through time and space. The species showed high genetic diversity and moderate differentiation for which topogra

SUBMITTER: Walas L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6905551 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature