Analysis of the mating system, reproductive characteristics, and spatial genetic structure in a natural mangrove tree (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) population at its northern biogeographic limit in the southern Japanese archipelago
文摘
We examined the mating system, reproductive characteristics, and spatial genetic structure in a population of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza located at its northern biogeographic limit on the Iriomote Island of the southern Japanese archipelago. Nuclear and chloroplast simple sequence repeat (nSSR and cpSSR) markers were used to analyze adult trees, seedlings and propagule samples in the Urauchi river basin. Low genetic diversity was detected at the nSSR and a predominant haplotype was identified at the cpSSR. The mean multilocus outcrossing rate (0.855) significantly differed from 1.0, suggesting a relatively higher selfing rate. Substantial inbreeding was suggested from biparental inbreeding rates and significant F IS within the adult and seedling cohorts. A wide coverage of pollen and propagule dispersal was inferred within the study population based on a paternity analysis of the propagules and a parentage analysis of the seedlings; moreover, a lack of spatial genetic structure was observed. Our results suggest that B. gymnorrhiza in the Urauchi river basin was most likely established from a few founders and formed a homogeneous population due to limited gene flow from southern or central populations.