Adam Boratyński

Allozyme investigations on the genetic differentiation between closely related pines - Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata, and P. uliginosa (Pinaceae)

In eight natural European populations of four closely related taxa of pines (Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata, andP. uliginosa) starch-gel electrophoreses revealed altogether 58 alleles at 15 loci from nine enzyme systems. With Neis genetic distance (D) the largest mean genetic distance (D = 0.171) was found betweenP. sylvestris andP. mugo, a distance corresponding to that between other closely related pine species. Mean genetic distances between the other taxa were less than half that value and characteristic for subspecies or varieties rather than for species. On the basis of our results we suggest that both,P. uliginosa andP. uncinata, could be the result of the ancient hybridization betweenP. sylvestris andP. mugo.

Genetic variation of Pinus uncinata (Pinaceae) in the Pyrenees determined with cpSSR markers

The genetic variation within and between 13 populations (385 individuals) of Pinus uncinata was analyzed with ten chloroplast microsatellite markers. Both the infinite allele mutation and stepwise mutation model (SMM) have been applied to the analysis of the genetic structure and the geographical distribution of haplotypic variation. High level of genetic diversity and low but significant differentiation among compared population were found. Three marginal populations, Sierra de Cebollera, Margaride Mountains and Sierra de Gúdar are strongly differentiated from the rest. Mutations following SMM-like process contributed significantly to the regional differentiation. The pattern of genetic structure observed in mountain pine is common in conifers with a wide distribution range. Lack of significant genetic structuring may be a result of a recent fragmentation of a historically larger population and/or interspecific hybridization and introgression. The southernmost populations from the Sierra Cebollera and the Sierra de Gúdar are the most genetically distinct. This suggests a long period of spatial isolation and/or origin from different ancestral populations.

Do secondary sexual dimorphism and female intolerance to drought influence the sex ratio and extinction risk of Taxus baccata

Sex ratio and sexual dimorphism were studied in the dioecious tree Taxus baccata. We examined five populations of T. baccata in Poland and Ukraine to identify the differences between male and female individuals. The sex of all individuals, height and diameter, needle length and area, specific leaf area (SLA), the number of stomata rows, stomatal density, and content of carbon and nitrogen were measured to identify the differences between male and female individuals. The relationship between sex ratio and climatic conditions, age and population size were analysed using data collected from the field and the literature. Female trees were shorter than males, but needles of females were longer and had larger area. Although there were no differences among sexes in SLA, nitrogen and carbon concentration, we found a positive correlation between nitrogen concentration and SLA among females. The sex ratio changed with tree height within populations, and taller height classes were biased in favour of males. Regardless of population age, the percentage of females within populations was positively correlated with precipitation. Probably high reproductive effort caused female trees to lose in competition with males, and this loss may also be enhanced by lower drought tolerance in females and could contribute to risk of extinction for T. baccata. The continental geographic range of T. baccata may be restricted by limited occurrence of females, which demand higher water resources than males.

High level of genetic differentiation of Juniperus phoenicea (Cupressaceae) in the Mediterranean region: geographic implications

Fourteen natural populations of Juniperus phoenicea L. from the quite entire species range have been compared using isoenzyme polymorphism. Among 17 loci, 5 (Got1, 6Pgd3, Pgi2, Pgm2 and Shdh2) appeared to be differentiated sufficiently to provide useful information for discrimination between the subspecies phoenicea and turbinata (Guss.) Nyman. Two distinct groups of populations were detected using the Nei’s genetic distance unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and discrimination analyses, one including the inland populations of the eastern Iberian Peninsula and southern France (subsp. phoenicea), and the second from the Mediterranean and Atlantic shores, and from the Atlas mountains in Africa (subsp. turbinata). The high level of differences confirms a long period of isolation, probably during the whole Pleistocene. The population from the Aegean Sea shore differed from the other Mediterranean shore plus Atlas mountain population. It also suggests spatial isolation between them, at least during the last Glaciation.

High genetic diversity with moderate differentiation in Juniperus excelsa from Lebanon and the eastern Mediterranean region

Juniperus excelsa constitutes a precious woody species of high ecological value able to grow up to Mountain treeline around the Mediterranean. Nuclear microsatellites were used to shed light on genetic diversity and differentiation of different Mediterranean populations. This information is essential in planning conservation strategies and reforestation programs.

Evidence of the possibility of natural reciprocal crosses between Pinus sylvestris and P. uliginosa based on the phenology of reproductive organs

Summary Phenological observations of development of generative organs of Pinus sylvestris and P. uliginosa (= P. rotundata ) were carried out in spring of 1999, 2000 and 2001. The aim of the research was to verify the hypothesis that both taxa have a possibility of reciprocal crossing. Two populations of P. uliginosa were tested, one on the Silesian Lowland (Wegliniec) (altitude of 180m), the other in the Stolowe mountains (Batorow) (at altitude of 750 m). The lowland population of P. uliginosa is not numerous and surrounded by extensive P. sylvestris forests, the mountain one is 3 times more numerous, and the nearest population of P.sylvestris is at a distance of 2 km. Observations in the field were carried out twice a week during the period of development of micro- and macro-strobili of both taxa. The results show that the P. sylvestris strobili developed every year earlier than those of P. uliginosa . Nevertheless, this did not eliminate the possibility of cross pollination and gene flow from P. sylvestris toward P. uliginosa on both localities of the last species. The possibility of pollination of P. sylvestris macrostrobili by P. uliginosa pollen was found also possible, but more restricted. Normally, on lowlands the same phenological phases take place about 10 days earlier than in the mountains. This is documented for two years of observations of more or less typical whether conditions. An earlier development of micro- and macrostrobili of both species in their mountain populations was observed in an observation year characterized by an extremely early and warm spring.

Population genetic structure of Juniperus phoenicea (Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean Basin: gradient of diversity on a broad geographical scale

Abstract• Introduction, Material and MethodsThe genetic structure and diversity of ten natural populations of Juniperus phoenicea L. from the western part of the species range have been studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.• Results and discussionAmong 10 analyzed primers only 3 reproduced consistently across successful PCR reactions and gave 45 loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P) and Nei’s heterozygosity (He) have average values of 64.9% and 0.177. The average expected heterozygosity of particular populations positively correlate with latitude and negatively with altitude (τ = 0.556, P = 0.025; τ = −0.494, P = 0.047, respectively). The proportion of genetic variation contributed by the differences between populations was low (GST  = 0.056). The gene flow (Nm) has an average value of 4.2, and was higher in subsp. turbinata (7.3) than in subsp. phoenicea (4.1). Significant proportion of the variation (ΦST = 0.106) was attributable to differences among populations, as revealed in analysis of molecular variance analysis of pair-wise RAPD distances. No evidence for isolation by distance was detected in Mantel test on genetic (ΦST) and geographic distances. European populations differed at a higher level from the African, subsp. phoenicea from turbinata (3.97% and 3.14% of total variance, respectively). The significant level of differences between European and African populations can result from (1) the earlier divergence and considerably low level of gene flow between them, or (2) a different mutation rate within population of different continent.• ConclusionThe results suggest rather local forest economy with J. phoenicea, without seed exchange on large distance.

Contribution to the taxonomy of Pinus uncinata (Pinaceae) based on cone characters

Eight natural populations of Pinus uncinata Ramond from the Spanish Pyrenees, five of P. mugo Turra from the Carpathians, the Sudethians and Abruzzian Apennines, three of P. sylvestris L. from the Central-European Lowland and the Iberian Peninsula and one of P. uliginosa Neumann from SW Poland have been compared biometrically in 16 cone characters. P. uncinata appears the most distant from all other taxa, differing by having the largest and most asymmetric cones and the thickest apophyses with the most prominent umbo. In cone characters, P. mugo is more similar to P. sylvestris than to P. uncinata. Nevertheless, P. mugo and P. sylvestris remain distant from each other in a number of morphological characters examined. P. uliginosa has cones intermediate between the other three taxa and is moreover very variable. The locality of P. uliginosa in the Silesian Lowland may be of a relict character and conserve genes from P. uncinata.

Morphological versus molecular markers to describe variability in Juniperus excelsa subsp. excelsa (Cupressaceae)

This is a large scale investigation of morphological diversity in Juniperus excelsa excelsa. It offers complementary results to those obtained for the same populations using molecular markers. These two approaches are complementary and should be considered together in order to obtain a comprehensive view of the variability of J. excelsa excelsa.

Relationships among Cedrus libani, C. brevifolia and C. atlantica as revealed by the morphological and anatomical needle characters

The main aim of the present study was testing the value of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the needles in distinguishing Cedrus atlantica, C. libani and C. brevifolia. Nine populations were sampled in their natural habit and 25 characters were used to describe the variation of the brachyblast needles and to analyze the differences between species. The results indicated that morphological and anatomical needle characters provide valuable tools in discrimination of the taxa. The scored differences were statistically significant, as revealed in the Tukey’s t test, discrimination analysis and hierarchical analysis of variation. The results support treating C. libani, C. atlantica and C. brevifolia as independent species.