Asymmetric contributions of seed and pollen to gene dispersal in the marsh orchid<i>Dactylorhiza umbrosa</i>in Asia Minor

Orchids differ from other plants in their extremely small and partly air-filled seeds that can be transported long distances by wind. Seed dispersal orchids is expected to contribute strongly overall gene flow, generally express low levels of genetic differentiation between populations pollen seed flow ratios. However, studies distributed northern Europe have often found a poor geographic structuring variation. Here, we studied the marsh orchid Dactylorhiza umbrosa, which widely upland regions Asia Minor Central Asia. These areas were less affected Pleistocene ice ages than should been able survive last age local refugia. In plastid genome, dispersed seeds, at close distance clearly divergent, but still increased with distance, significant phylogeographic structure had developed. nuclear both pollen, showed an even stronger correlation average lower no was evident. Combining data, ratio (mp/ms) decreases physical distance. Comparison grow parts glaciated during suggests balanced diversity develops only slowly many terrestrial orchids, despite efficient dispersal.