Sequencing of the chloroplast genome of wild apricot
This study employed a combined approach utilising chloroplast DNA fragments (rpl32-trnL and ndhC-trnV) and a single-copy nuclear gene (DXH) to conduct a systematic phylogeographic analysis of wild apricot resources within the Ili wild fruit forests of Xinjiang. Results indicate significant divergence between genetic structures revealed by chloroplast DNA and nuclear genes, reflecting complex evolutionary processes driven by natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow across distinct genetic systems. Genetic variation predominantly resided within populations, with weak differentiation between them. Neutrality tests and mismatch analysis indicated that wild apricot maternal lineages had not undergone significant historical expansions, suggesting a possible shared population contraction (bottleneck effect). Conversely, nuclear gene data supported recent expansion, with the Yining County population exhibiting the most pronounced expansion signal, indicating effective recording of this event by the nuclear genome.