Spatial distribution of genetic variation with Cedrus brevifolia

Cedrus brevifolia belongs to the family Pinaceae and is the only endemic tree species that grows in Cyprus. The range of the species has nowadays been limited to only one population in the region of Pafos Forest. The population is not uniform and can be classified into five subpopulations.
This project aims to describe the Cyprus cedar with regard to the spatial structure of its genetic variation within and among subpopulations. Sampling will be exhaustive in each of the five natural subpopulations and two plantations.
For the genetic analysis different types of markers are involved. AFLPs (dominant markers) and isozymes (co-dominant markers) will be used to assess levels of genetic variation, to measure genetic differentiation, and to analyse the spatial distribution of genetic variation within and among subpopulations. Small-scale genetic variation patterns will be studied by using uniparentally inherited genetic information. Such information will result from the extraction of DNA from chloroplasts (cpDNA) and mitochondria (mtDNA) by using PCR-RLFP and SSRs methods.

Person Finkeldey, Reiner (Leiter)
Nikolas Eliades (Mitarbeiter)

Eliades, N., Gailing, O., Leinemann, L., Fady, B. & R. Finkeldey. 2011. High genetic diversity and significant population structure in Cedrus brevifolia Henry, a narrow Mediterranean endemic tree from Cyprus. Plant Systematics and Evolution 294: 185-198.

Eliades, N., Fady, B., Gailing, O., Leinemann, L. & R. Finkeldey. 2018. Significant patterns of fine-scale spatial genetic structure in a narrow endemic wind-dispersed tree species, Cedrus brevifolia Henry. Tree Genetics and Genomes 14:15.