Genetic Variation and Population Structure in Korean Endemic Species: V. Corylopsis coreana (Hamameliaceae)

Abstract

The allozyme diversity of ten Korean populations of Corylopsis coreana Nakai, a shrub endemic to Korea, were examined. Although Korean populations are isolated, they maintain moderate levels of allozyme variation (average percent of loci polymorphic=22.4%, mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus=3.97, mean expected heterozygosity=0.109) compared to the means of 26 woody endemic species. A high level of heterozygote deficiency was observed in populations of C. coreana (mean F IS=0.232). Significant heterogeneity in allele frequencies were detected between populations at all polymorphic loci (p<0.001), among-population genetic differentiation accounted for 12.3% of the total variation. Indirect estimates of the number of migrants per generation (Nm) (1.77, calculated from G ST) indicate that gene flow is moderate among populations of C. coreana. The allozyme diversity and population structure in C. coreana may be attributed to relatively long-distance flight of pollinators in early spring, gravity seed dispersal, restricted distribution, and high density in the standing populations of the species.