History or demography? Determining the drivers of genetic variation in North American plants.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the impact of historical and demographic processes on genetic variation is essential for devising conservation strategies and predicting responses to climate change. Recolonization after Pleistocene glaciations is expected to leave distinct genetic signatures, characterised by lower genetic diversity in previously glaciated regions. Populations' positions within species ranges also shape genetic variation, following the central-marginal paradigm dictating that peripheral populations are depauperate, sparse and isolated. However, the general applicability of these patterns and relative importance of historical and demographic factors remains unknown. Here, we analysed the distribution of genetic variation in 91 native species of North American plants by coupling microsatellite

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Delgado J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9543403 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature