title: Spatial and temporal population genetic variation and structure of Nothotsuga longibracteata (Pinaceae), a relic conifer species endemic to subtropical China.
abstract: Nothotsuga longibracteata, a relic and endangered conifer species endemic to subtropical China, was studied for examining the spatial-temporal population genetic variation and structure to understand the historical biogeographical processes underlying the present geographical distribution. Ten populations were sampled over the entire natural range of the species for spatial analysis, while three key populations with large population sizes and varied age structure were selected for temporal analyses using both nuclear microsatellites (nSSR) and chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSR). A recent bottleneck was detected in the natural populations of N. longibracteata. The spatial genetic analysis showed significant population genetic differentiation across its total geographical range. Notwithstanding, the temporal genetic analysis revealed that the level of genetic diversity between different age class subpopulations remained constant over time. Eleven refugia of the Last Glacial Maximum were identified, which deserve particular attention for conservation management.
authors.affiliation: Wuhan Botanical Garden/Wuhan Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China . ; Ningbo City College of Vocational Technology, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China .
authors.forename: Yingjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: South China Botanical Garden/South China Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China .
authors.forename: Yifei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: South China Botanical Garden/South China Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China .
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Ningbo City College of Vocational Technology, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China .
authors.forename: Guanmei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: South China Botanical Garden/South China Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China .
authors.forename: Hongwen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
keywords: Nothotsuga longibracteata; gene flow; glacial refugia; spatial genetic structure; temporal genetic structure