Genetic diversity and population history of cold temperate pine species in north-east Asia

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This study aimed to delineate the population history during the Quaternary of cold temperate pine, Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), in north-east Asia. Range-wide genetic variation was assessed using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and chloroplast DNA across the entire distribution range of the species. Genetic diversity of mtDNA haplotypes showed a complete loss of the diversity across the continental populations (H_T, total gene diversity, =0) exhibiting a single haplotype in spite of the extensive species natural range with large-sized populations. In contrast, a higher level of genetic diversity was observed in Japanese populations (H_T=0.502) harbouring three mtDNA haplotypes despite the restricted natural range with quite small populations. The loss of genetic diversity and fixation of the single haplotype in the continental populations could result from the contraction into a single refugium in the past ; the higher level of genetic diversity of Japanese populations suggested that Korean pine retained large-sized populations in Japan during the Pleistocene.