Abstract
Common ash is a temperate forest tree with a colonizing behaviour, a discontinuous spatial distribution and a peculiar and poorly known mating system. Microsatellite markers were used to study the genetic structure in natural populations of common ash. Twelve populations located in northeastern France were analysed at five loci. Levels of genetic variability within and among stands were estimated for the seedling and adult stages. As expected for a forest tree, our results reveal high levels of intrapopulation diversity and a low genetic differentiation between stands. However, a general and significant heterozygote deficiency was found, with a mean F(IS) of 0.163 for the seedlings and of 0.292 for the adult trees. The different explanations for such an excess homozygosity are discussed: a nonMendelian inheritance of alleles, the presence of null alleles, a Wahlund effect and assortative mating.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
