Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of Ancient Platycladus orientalis L. (Cupressaceae) in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River by Chloroplast Microsatellite Markers

Ancient trees are famous for their life spans of hundreds or even thousands years. These rare, a testament to history and important scientific research. Platycladus orientalis, with the longest span beautiful trunk, has become most widely planted tree species is believed be sacred in China. Extensive declines habitat area quality pose greatest threats loss genetic diversity ancient P. orientalis middle reaches Yellow River. Strengthening protection resources great significance long-term development reasonable conservation breeding strategies. To better understand population structure we successfully analyzed four polymorphic chloroplast simple sequence repeat (cpSSR) loci applied them analyses 202 individuals from 13 populations Based on cpSSR data, 16 alleles were detected across individuals, moderate level was inferred parameters (H = 0.367 AR 1.964). The mean pairwise differentiation coefficient (Fst) between 0.153, indicating relatively high differentiations. Analysis molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that only 8% variation occurred among populations. Structure analysis divided into two groups no significant geographic structure, which consistent unweighted pair group method arithmetic (UPGMA) Mantel test results. results may indicate transplanting cultivation by human activities main factors responsible revealed pattern Our research future establishment schemes orientalis.