Genetic diversity, structure, and demography of Pandanus boninensis (Pandanaceae) with sea drifted seeds, endemic to the Ogasawara Islands of Japan: Comparison between young and old islands.

Pandanus boninensis, endemic to the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, is distributed on both the older Bonin and younger Volcano Islands. In this study, we conducted population genetic analyses of P. boninensis on these islands to examine the population diversity and structure across old and young islands, to assess potential differences in population demography with island age, and to collect any evidence of migration between old and young islands.

Genetic structure of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii) in northern Japan and adjacent regions revealed by nuclear microsatellites and mitochondrial gene sequences.

The genetic structure of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii) was studied across the natural range of the species, including two small isolated populations in south Sakhalin and Hayachine, by using six microsatellite loci and maternally inherited mitochondrial gene sequences. We also analyzed P. jezoensis, a sympatric spruce in the range.

Genetic differentiation in Elaeocarpus photiniifolia (Elaeocarpaceae) associated with geographic distribution and habitat variation in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands.

Gene flow between populations in different environmental conditions can be limited due to divergent natural selection, thus promoting genetic differentiation. Elaeocarpus photiniifolia, an endemic tree species in the Bonin Islands, is distributed in two types of habitats, dry scrubs and mesic forests. We aim to elucidate the genetic differentiation in E.

Clone identification in Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus subgenus Cerasus) cultivars using nuclear SSR markers.

Numerous cultivars of Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus subgenus Cerasus) are recognized, but in many cases they are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Therefore, we evaluated the clonal status of 215 designated cultivars using 17 SSR markers. More than half the cultivars were morphologically distinct and had unique genotypes.

Patterns of pollen flow in a dense population of the insect-pollinated canopy tree species Castanopsis sieboldii.

Insect pollinations of tree species with high-density populations have rarely been studied. Since the density of adults can affect effective pollen dispersal, short-distance pollination, even by insects, may frequently occur in high-density populations. To test this prediction, we investigated pollination patterns in a high-density population of the insect-pollinated canopy tree species Castanopsis sieboldii by paternity analysis using genotypes at 8 microsatellite loci of 145 adult trees and 439 seeds from 11 seed parents in a 4-ha plot.

Phylogeography of the Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) in northeast Asia: inferences from organelle gene sequences.

Range-wide genetic variation of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) was assessed using maternally inherited mtDNA and paternally inherited cpDNA for 16 natural populations throughout northeast Asia in order to study its phylogeographical history during the Quaternary. The cpDNA variation indicated that there was no difference between populations on the Asian continent and those in the Japanese archipelago. In contrast, the mtDNA variation indicated that there was significant difference between the populations from the two regions, with each region having a different lineage.

Development of EST-SSR markers for Elaeocarpus photiniifolia (Elaeocarpaceae), an endemic taxon of the Bonin Islands.

Premise Of The Study: Expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellite markers were developed for Elaeocarpus photiniifolia, an endemic taxon of the Bonin Islands.

Methods And Results: Initially, a complementary DNA (cDNA) library was constructed by de novo pyrosequencing of total RNA extracted from a seedling. A total of 267 primer pairs were designed from the library.

Rapid development of microsatellite markers for Pandanus boninensis (Pandanaceae) by pyrosequencing technology.

Premise Of The Study: To facilitate rapid development of microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, an expressed sequence tags (EST) database was constructed for Pandanus boninensis, an evergreen tree endemic to the Bonin Islands, using pyrosequencing technology.

Methods And Results: We designed primers for 340 EST-SSRs identified from 109620 pyrosequencing reads, 48 of which were tested for PCR amplification. Thirty-four primers provided clear amplification, and 26 of those 34 displayed clear polymorphic patterns in sampled populations, with mean expected heterozygosity at the amplified loci ranging from 0.

Microsatellite markers derived from Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaceae) expressed sequence tags.

Premise Of The Study: Robust markers are required (inter alia) for assessing origins of Calophyllum inophyllum populations on the Bonin Islands, Japan. Therefore, informative expressed sequence tag (EST)-based microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers in the species were sought.

Methods And Results: Using 135378 ESTs derived from de novo pyrosequencing, primers for 475 EST-SSRs were developed, 48 of which were tested for PCR amplification.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Hibiscus glaber Matsum. ex Nakai, an endemic tree species of the oceanic Bonin Islands, Japan.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Hibiscus glaber, an endemic tree of the Bonin Islands. Eighty-seven of the 208 sequences from an enriched library were unique and containing microsatellites. Ten loci were proved to be highly polymorphic among 78 individuals from the Nishi-jima Island.

Effects of seed- and pollen-mediated gene dispersal on genetic structure among Quercus salicina saplings.

We evaluated the effects of seed- and pollen-mediated gene dispersal on genetic structure among Quercus salicina saplings. Parentage analysis using 10 microsatellite markers indicated that the 111 adult trees located within a 11.56 ha plot in the Tatera Forest Reserve, Japan, included only one parent of 44.

Adaptive and slightly deleterious evolution in a conifer, Cryptomeria japonica.

In order to evaluate effects of the population structure and natural selection on organisms having long generation times, we surveyed DNA polymorphisms at five loci encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), ammonium transporter, calmodulin, aquaporin, and the second major allergen with polymethylgalacturonase enzyme activity in the pollen (Cryj2) in a conifer, Cryptomeria japonica. The average nucleotide diversity at silent sites across 12 loci including the previously analyzed seven loci was 0.0044.

Phylogeography of a northeast Asian spruce, Picea jezoensis, inferred from genetic variation observed in organelle DNA markers.

Range-wide genetic variation of the widespread cold-temperate spruce Picea jezoensis was studied throughout northeast Asia using maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA and paternally inherited chloroplast DNA markers. This study assessed 33 natural populations including three varieties of the species in Japan, Russia, China, and South Korea. We depicted sharp suture zones in straits around Japan in the geographical distribution pattern of mitochondrial haplotypes (GST=0.

Determination of the genetic structure of remnant Morus boninensis Koidz. trees to establish a conservation program on the Bonin Islands, Japan.

Background: Morus boninensis, is an endemic plant of the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands of Japan and is categorized as "critically endangered" in the Japanese red data book. However, little information is available about its ecological, evolutionary and genetic status, despite the urgent need for guidelines for the conservation of the species. Therefore, we adopted Moritz's MU concept, based on the species' current genetic structure, to define management units and to select mother tree candidates for seed orchards.

Fat-tailed gene flow in the dioecious canopy tree species Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica revealed by microsatellites.

Pollen flow, seed dispersal and individual reproductive success can be simultaneously estimated from the genotypes of adults and offspring using stochastic models. Using four polymorphic microsatellite loci, gene flow of the wind-pollinated and wind-seed-dispersed dioecious tree species, Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica, was quantified in a riparian forest, in northern Japan.

Contrasting patterns of DNA variation in natural populations of two related conifers, Cryptomeria japonica and Taxodium distichum (Cupressaceae sensu lato).

We investigated DNA variation within and between two closely related conifers, Cryptomeria japonica and Taxodium distichum, at nuclear loci encoding ferredoxin, glutamyl-tRNA reductase, lycopene beta cyclase, and phosphoribosylanthranilate transferase. Average nucleotide diversity at silent sites was estimated to be 0.0035 (SE 0.

Effects of canopy gaps on the genetic structure of Camellia japonica saplings in a Japanese old-growth evergreen forest.

The genetic structure of Camellia japonica saplings was investigated in relation to canopy conditions in an old-growth evergreen forest in Tsushima, Japan. To elucidate effects of canopy gaps on genetic structure, a 1 ha study site was divided into 20 x 20 m quadrats, which were classified into a gap quadrats (GAP), closed canopy quadrats (CLS) and mixed quadrats. Five GAP quadrats and six CLS quadrats were analyzed separately.

Interannual genetic heterogeneity of pollen pools accepted by Quercus salicina individuals.

Since flowering often varies among years in wind-pollinated woody species, the genetic composition of pollen pools accepted by seed parents can differ between years. The interannual heterogeneity of pollen flow may be important for maintaining genetic diversity within populations because it can increase genetic variation within populations and the effective sizes of the populations. In this study we examined heterogeneity, using paternity analysis and analysis of molecular variance, in the genetic composition of pollen pools among different reproductive years for six Quercus salicina seed parents in an 11.

Genetic diversity of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in Pinus parviflora Sieb. & Zucc. (Pinaceae) populations.

Genetic diversities of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in Pinus parviflora were studied in 16 populations, which were distributed across most of the species' range in Japan. Six mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were identified among the 16 populations. The intrapopulation diversity of allozymes was similar to that of other endemic woody species (H(S)=0.

DNA variation in a conifer, Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae sensu lato).

We investigated the nucleotide variation of a conifer, Cryptomeria japonica, and the divergence between this species and its closest relative, Taxodium distichum, at seven nuclear loci (Acl5, Chi1, Ferr, GapC, HemA, Lcyb, and Pat). Samples of C. japonica were collected from three areas, Kantou-Toukai, Hokuriku, and Iwate.

Size-class differences in genetic structure and individual distribution of Camellia japonica L. in a Japanese old-growth evergreen forest.

Size-class differences in genetic structure and individual spatial distribution were investigated for Camellia japonica within a 1-ha plot in a Japanese old-growth evergreen forest using microsatellite markers. Three size-classes were considered containing plants that were: 30-32.5 cm tall, 103.