A complex genetic structure of <i>Tetraclinis articulata</i> (Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean

Abstract Some tree species have distributions on both sides of the Strait Gibraltar and Sicily. It is a challenge to determine whether such result from Tertiary or Pleistocene more recent dispersal related human activities. Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae) gymnosperm that offers an ideal model deal with this problem because it has limited area distribution been used only moderately by humans. Three hundred twenty-three individuals 30 populations covering entire were analysed. A multiple approach was developed: (1) assessing genetic structure through two molecular techniques, AFLP nSSR markers, which evaluate diversity these relationships among them (2) estimating past distributions. Four lineages are geographically intermixed certain extent documented here. Results obtained discussed in context palaeontological records climatic models. There evidence ancient widespread distribution, including Europe, subsequent appearance four isolated that, nowadays, partially intermixed. Nevertheless, origin current could not be fully ascertained work, although logical deductions consider activities or, much less probably, wind seeds out refugia northern Africa-southern Europe during Quaternary, shore connections.