Abstract

Genetic variation in and spatial structure of natural populations of Dipterocarpus alatus (Dipterocarpaceae) determined using single sequence repeat markers

Dipterocarpus alatus (Dipterocarpaceae) is widely distributed in lowland forests in central and southern Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and India. Due to over-exploitation and habitat destruction, the species is now threatened. The genetic variation within and among populations of D. alatus was investigated on the basis of 9 microsatellite (single sequence repeat, SSR) loci. In all, 268 sampled trees from 10 populations in central and southern Vietnam were analyzed in this study. The SSR data showed a high genetic variability within populations with an average of H_O = 0.209 and H_E = 0.239. Genetic differentiation among populations was high (FST = 0.266), indicating limited gene flow (N_m = 0.69). Analysis of molecular variance showed that most genetic variation was within populations (74.96%). This study highlights the importance of conserving the genetic resources of D. alatus species.

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