Genetic analysis distinguished new natural population and old plantations of Cryptomeria japonica

Natural forest is important not only for conserving genetic diversity, but also as a future breeding resource, especially forestry tree species. Cryptomeria japonica an species in Japan, natural populations are limited. We discovered apparently C. individuals on Mt Aoba, adjacent to Wakasa Bay Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The area around was refugia this during the Last Glacial Maximum. To clarify whether these origin or not, we sampled 195 with diameter at breast height (dbh) greater than 60 cm (with average dbh of 79 cm), and conducted analyses 249 SNP 20 SSR markers. found two clusters identified ura-sugi omote-sugi lineages diversity sample similar known populations. lineage showed clear correlation between age dbh, whereas no correlation. genetically very nearby Most trees were about 100 years old regardless located one small valley close village. results suggest that (124 individuals) represents population origin, (60 probably planted ago using non-local origin. Seven appeared be hybrids, displaying both lineages. In situ conservation should priority, after removing lineage, order conserve resources they represent. Ex-situ strategies implemented protect endemic gene pool from flow many plantations surrounding area.