Abstract

In this study, the distribution patterns of Quercus mongolica and Q. serrata in Korea were investigated, and the possibility of introgressi ve hybridization and gene flow between Q. mongolica and Q. serrata in Mt. Seorak was inferred by flavonoid analyses. The most critical factor in the vertical and horizontal distribution patterns of Q. mongolica and Q. serrata was the temperature, in accordance with latitude and altitude. The species showed a zonal distribution, with a Q. mongolica zone in the upper area and a Q. serrata zone in the lower area. In Mt. Seorak, Central Korea, the range of the vertical distribution of Q. mongolica was generally above an altitude of 100 m, whereas that of Q. serrata was an altitude of 0–400 m (-500) and rarely above an altitude of 500 m. However, in Mt. Jiri, Southern Korea, Q. serrata was found up to an altitude of 1,000~1,200 m, whereas the frequency of Q. mongolica was reduced at lower elevations and the species was rare below an a ltitude of 300 m, although pure stands were found on higher mountain slopes above an altitude of 1,200 m. The altitudinal distribution of the two species overlapped, where the two species occurred together. The leaf flavonoid constituents of thirty-four individuals of Q. mongolica and Q. serrata in Mt. Seorak and Mt. Jiri, Korea were examined. Twenty-four flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified. These were glycosylated derivatives of flavonols kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin. Five compounds among the flavonoid compounds were acylated. Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, and its acylated compounds were major constituents and present in all individuals. Quercus mongolica is distinguished from Q. serrata by the presence of quercetin 3-O-arabinosylglucoside, a high concentration of three acylated compounds (kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin 3-O-galactoside), and a relatively low concentration or lack of rhamnosyl flavonol compounds. Intraspecific variations, however, were found in the flavonoid profiles of Q. mongolica and Q. serrata, and the flavonoid profiles of individuals belonging to the two species in a hybrid zone (sympatric zone) tended to be similar, qualitatively and quantitatively. These findings strongly suggest that gene exchange or gene flow occurs through introgressive hybridization between Q. mongolica and Q. serrata in Mt. Seorak.

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