Genetic variation and population history of three related fir species Abies sachalinensis, A. nephrolepis and A. gracilis (Pinaceae) revealed by nuclear microsatellites

Seventeen nuclear microsatellite loci (nSSR) were used to study the genetic diversity and historical demography of three Northeast Asian fir species: insular Sakhalin Abies sachalinensis (Fr. Schmidt) Mast., continental A. nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim. Kamchatka endemic gracilis Kom. Bayesian clustering, performed using STRUCTURE software separated considered species from each other divided populations into several groups located south north. According results ABC analysis, ancestors southern split about 600 ka BP. Populations northern originated 300 central formed, probably, as a result mixing during late glacial (about 18 BP). The origin is inferred separation Sakhalin, probably before last maximum.