Pacific Southwest Research Station

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Title: Levels of genetic variation in trees: influence of life history characteristics

Author: Hamrick, J. L; Milton , J. B.; Linhart, Y. B.

Date: 1981

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-48. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 35-41

Station ID: GTR-PSW-048

Description: In a previous study, levels of genetic variation, as measured by isozyme analyses, were compared for 113 taxa of vascular plants. Each species was classified for 12 life history and ecological traits and three measures of genetic variation were calculated. Plants with large ranges, high fecundities, an outcrossing mode of reproduction, wind pollination, a long generation time, and from habitats representing later stages of succession tended to have more isozyme variation than species with other combinations of characteristics. This paper discusses the results of the previous study and examines the available isozyme data for similar trends in forest trees. Special consideration was given to differences in genetic variation among 20 conifer species that have many of their life history characteristics in common. Successional stage, habitat type, cone type and historical events were associated with differences in genetic variation among the conifer species. These results are discussed in terms of expectations from current population genetics theory.

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Hamrick, J. L; Milton , J. B.; Linhart, Y. B.  1981.  Levels of genetic variation in trees: influence of life history characteristics  Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-48. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 35-41.