Genetic and phenotypic diversity of Larix cajanderi Mayr in the north of the Russian Far East

Abstract

A study of genetic and phenotypic variability of Larix cajanderi has been carried out in northeastern Asia—in Magadan oblast and on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The genetic diversity of the larch is investigated using eight nuclear microsatellite loci (bcLK056, bcLK066, bcLK224, bcLK232, bcLK260, bcLK235, UAKLly6, and UBCLXtet-1–22). Shape characteristics of the cone scales determined by geometric morphometrics are used as phenotypic markers. Microsatellite analysis has revealed a high level of genetic diversity of L. cajanderi in the Far North of Asia. Significant genetic and phenotypic differences between L. cajanderi samples from Magadan oblast and Kamchatka suggest the early isolation of the larch on the peninsula. Heterozygous genotype deficiency is detected in all investigated larch populations in Kamchatka, which are related to a high degree of inbreeding. Excess heterozygotes genotypes are observed in the Magadan populations of L. cajanderi, which is probably due to the balancing selection in favor of heterozygotes.