Genetic Variability and Differentiation of the Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Kuril Islands’ Larches

Abstract

The genetic variability and differentiation of the 10 larch populations from Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Iturup Island (Kuril archipelago) were investigated by RAPD method. On the basis of analysis of 319 RAPD loci identified by means of nine random primers it was indicated that the samples from Kamchatka have higher parameters of genetic variability (He = 0.172, P95 = 43.0 %) as compared with the samples from Sakhalin and Iturup (He = 0.142, P95 = 39.5 % and He = 0.143, P95 = 41.1 %, correspondingly). Significant genetic differentiation for the samples from Sakhalin (GST = 0.24) and Kamchatka (GST = 0.25) was revealed. Reliable correlation between genetic and geographic distances between samples was found (r = 0.68, p < 0.005).

Keywords

• larch (Larix)
• RAPD analysis
• genetic variability
• genetic differentiation
• AMOVA
• Kamchatka
• Sakhalin
• Kuril Islands