Territorial distribution alleles of SSR-loci of chloroplast DNA of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Belarus

Abstract

Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the main forest forming species in Belarus, which cover 49.2 % of the country’s forested area. The aim of the study was to investigate spatial distribution of microsatellite (SSR) alleles (chloroplast DNA) and identify the features of the genetic structure and genogeographic differentiation of P. sylvestris populations in Belarus. Molecular genetic analysis of six SSR loci of Scotch pine cpDNA in samples form 73 naturally originated stands was carried out. 35 allelic variants of loci PCP1289, PCP4507, PCP83314, PCP71987, PCP26106, PCP30277 were identified. The analysis of the geographic distribution of the dominant allelic variants showed that the population structure of the pine forest is rather homogeneous. Certain regional differences in a number of cases were found for less common, but also widespread variants. One group of alleles is characterized by an increase or decrease in the frequency of occurrence in the direction from the southwest to the northeast. Another group includes allelic variants which share is maximal in the zone covering the Grodno region, the southwestern part of the Minsk region and the Gomel region, while to southwest and to northeast from this zone their frequency of occurrence decreases or is absent. A number of alleles were found only in one of the analyzed stands or in a limited area, which may indicate their local origin as a result of spontaneous mutations. The obtained results are important both from a general biological point of view in studying the evolution and formation of the genetic structure of P. sylvestris in Belarus, and from a practical point of view, since they allow to improve the forest seed zoning of the species.