title: The threatened epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in the Iberian Peninsula: genetic diversity and structure across a latitudinal gradient.
abstract: The current genetic diversity and structure of a species plays a marked role in the species' future response to environmental changes. Identification of the factors that might ensure the long-term viability of populations along its distribution area is therefore important for conserving biodiversity. In this work, infraspecific genetic diversity and structure of the threatened lichen Lobaria pulmonaria was investigated along a latitudinal gradient, spanning the Spanish latitudinal range of L. pulmonaria. Eighteen populations in Northern, Central, and Southern Spain were analysed using six specific fungal microsatellites of L. pulmonaria. Genetic diversity indices were calculated and compared among populations. Genetic differentiation was assessed using AMOVA and Bayesian methods. Additionally, a redundancy analysis was used to estimate the relative importance of environmental factors on the genetic variation among populations. Annual precipitation was the only factor affecting the genetic diversity probably through its influence on population and thallus size of L. pulmonaria, and significantly higher levels of genetic diversity were detected in southern populations. Isolation by distance was not significant, being environmental variables most important factors controlling genetic variation in L. pulmonaria populations.
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Mónica A G
authors: MA
authors: Otálora
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Rocío
authors: R
authors: Belinchón
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Prieto
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Aragón
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Izquierdo
authors: Biology and Geology Department, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: isabel.martinez@urjc.es.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Martínez
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008011:Lichens / Q000382:microbiology*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D013030:Spain
keywords: Climatic variables; Geographical gradient; Marginal populations; Population genetic; Spain