Genetic divergence in Cork Oak based on cpDNA sequence data

Background and objectives Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is one of the dominant broadleaved woody species in the western Mediterranean Basin, defining unique open woods. These woodlands have an outstanding economical and ecological value in this region, particularly in Portugal, where they sustain a strong cork industry. In the context of a prospective management of these sustainable ecosystems and renowned reservoirs of biodiversity, it is vital to better understand how the genetic variation of Q. suber natural populations is spatially organized so reasonable guidelines for conservation can be provided. On the other hand, knowledge of how past climate fluctuations influenced the patterns and dynamics of Q. suber, shaping the ranges of the species in the Mediterranean peninsulas, is of the utmost importance for our perception of what can happen in the future. Although a great deal of details on the genetic divergence of the Mediterranean cork oak populations has been uncovered and several hypotheses have been advanced concerning its evolutionary history, there is still much to unravel. For instance, Portuguese natural population sampling included so far in previous studies has been very deficient. To achieve this goal a different and complementary analysis of cork oak ́s genetic diversity was initiated under a phylogeographical framework based on chloroplastidial DNA sequences. This study is the starting up of a project aiming at assessing the genetic diversity and differentiation of natural cork oak populations from the entire Mediterranean distribution, with the intent of understanding patterns of biodiversity, gene flow and population admixture, as well as to infer possible evolutionary events.