Abstract
Abstract
Key message
The core populations of the European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) located in Poland maintained slightly higher level of genetic diversity compared to the peripheral populations of this species.
Context
The most severe threat to elms is the loss of natural habitat under the pressures of agriculture and forestry as well as urbanization. The reductions in European white elm populations as well as populations of other elm species have also been caused by Dutch elm disease (DED). Previous studies have indicated a low level of genetic variation in Ulmus leavis Pall. However, in Poland, the genetic resources and demographic history of U. laevis populations remain poorly documented.
Aims
The genetic resources of U. laevis in Poland were identified and characterized. Additionally, tests were performed to identify potential bottleneck signatures and effective population sizes of the examined populations.
Methods
Polymorphism was analyzed using a set of six nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSRs) for 1672 individuals from 41 populations throughout the species range in Poland.
Results
(1) A moderate level of genetic variation was found. (2) A low genetic differentiation and lack of population structuring were identified. (3) Evidence of reduction in population size was found as a consequence of severe, past bottlenecks.
Conclusion
The loss of genetic diversity of U. laevis probably occurred in their refugia or shortly after the postglacial recolonization. This loss may have been affected by past DED pandemics similar to those seen at present.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference66 articles.
1. Boratyńska K, Sękiewicz M, Boratyński A (2015) Morfologia, systematyka i rozmieszczenie geograficzne. In: W: Bugała W, Boratyński A, Iszkuło G (eds) Wiązy. Bogucki Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Poznań, pp 24–52
2. Brasier CM (2000) Intercontinental spread and continuing evolution of the Dutch elm disease pathogens. In: The elms. Springer, Boston, pp 61–72
3. Brasier CM (2001) Rapid evolution of introduced plant pathogens via interspecific hybridization. Bioscience 51:123–133. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0123:reoipp]2.0.co;2
4. Brunet J, Zalapa J, Guries R (2016) Conservation of genetic diversity in slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) in Wisconsin despite the devastating impact of Dutch elm disease. Conserv Genet 17(5):1001–1010. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-016-0838-1
5. Buiteveld J, Vanden Broeck A, Cox K, Collin E (2016) Human impact on the genetic diversity of Dutch field elm (Ulmus minor) populations in the Netherlands: implications for conservation. Plant Ecol Evol 149(2):165–176. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2016.977