The distribution of individuals of intermediate form in the populations of Norway and Siberian spruces

Abstract

The distribution of individuals of the intermediate form of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., and Siberian spruce P. obovata Ledeb., distinguished according to the metric parameters of the seed scales, was studied in extensive areas of the range from the Ukrainian Transcarpathia in the west to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the east. Intrapopulation frequency of intermediate phenotypes of European and Siberian spruce is characterized by a great variety. The coefficient of geographical variation of the frequency index is 73 %. According to the frequency of intermediate phenotypes, the entire population (107 of 126) is divided into three large groups: populations with a very low frequency (groups I, II and VIII, IX), in which it reaches 12–15 %; in groups III and VII, the frequency of such phenotypes is about 30; in groups IV, V, VI, 60–70 (up to 80) %. Groups of populations with predominance of individuals of intermediate phenotypes, in essence, represent an intermediate form of European and Siberian spruce. Populations in groups I–III, in which the phenotype of European spruce is found, represent this spruce, and in groups IX, VIII, VII one can observe the predominance of individuals of Siberian spruce phenotypes, these populations represent Siberian spruce. Populations in groups III and VII are transitional to the intermediate form of European and Siberian spruce. The populations with different frequencies of intermediate phenotypes can be studied to solve the problems of intraspecific taxonomy, e.g. in silviculture with a view to develop the guidelines for multiple forestry practices, since in geographical variability the shape of seed scales is strongly related to many other biological features.

Keywords

• Picea abies
• Picea obovata
• populations
• intermediate phenotypes