Differentiation of <i>Juniperus deltoidеs</i> R.P. Аdams in the Crimean-Caucasian Region According to the Variability of Microsatellite DNA Markers

Abstract

*e-mail: hantemirova@ipae.uran.ru The structure of genetic variability of the prickly juniper Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams (family Cupressaceae), an important component of Mediterranean arid and semi-arid ecosystems was studied. We used for the first time 5 nuclear microsatellite loci developed for another juniper species J. cedrus Webb Berthel. to genotype samples from 5 populations of J. deltoides located at the northeastern limit of the range in Eurasia (Western Crimea, Transcaucasia) and one Balkan population (Bulgaria). J. deltoides is characterized by an average level of genetic variability (He varies from 0.428 to 0.602) with the lowest values in the Crimean populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three genetic groups: Western Crimea, Transcaucasia (Krasnodar Territory) and Bulgarian population. Application of AMOVA to these groups showed statistically significant differentiation (9.9% of total variability, P 0.001). The first two groups correspond to the previously identified Asian group of J. deltoides, and the third group corresponds to the Balkan group. The differentiation of the Crimean populations from geographically close Caucasian populations is shown by us for the first time.