Novel Insights Into Refugia at the Southern Margin of the Distribution Range of the Endangered Species Ulmus laevis

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.826158
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15T07:14:43Z
• Authors: Sara Torre; Federico Sebastiani; Guia Burbui; Francesco Pecori; Alessia L. Pepori; Iacopo Passeri; Luisa Ghelardini; Alberto Selvaggi; Alberto Santini
• Keywords: Nucleotide diversity

Riparian ecosystems, in long-time developed regions, are among the most heavily impacted by human activities; therefore, distribution of tree riparian species, such as Ulmus laevis, is highly affected. This phenomenon particularly relevant at margins natural habitat where populations small and rare. In these cases, it difficult to distinguish between relics or introductions, but for restoration habitats conservation strategies. The aim this study was phylogeography southern species. We sequenced entire chloroplast (cp) genomes 54 individuals from five sampled across different European regions highlight polymorphisms analyze their distribution. Thirty-two haplotypes were identified. All showed private that can be considered an indicator long-term residency, given low mutation rate organellar DNA. network all a star-like topology, Serbian present branches. Balkan population highest level nucleotide genetic diversity. Low differentiation observed we found significant Serbia vs. other provenances. Our estimates divergent time U. laevis samples early split above populations, emphasizing reservoir role white elm diversity population.