Population genetic studies of adaptation of forest trees during their expansion after the last glacial maximum

月桂林在日本西部的原始低地占据主导地位，被认为是在最后一次冰川极大期之后，从一个或多个避难所扩展了它们的分布。本项目通过研究其代表性物种总形菊（Distylium racemosum）、日本Cleyera japonica、花椒（Zanthoxylum ailanthoides）以及生长在北美湿地的紫杉（Taxodium distichum）的遗传结构，探讨了它们在扩张期间和扩张后的进化过程。结果表明，这三种月桂树虽然目前生长在同一森林，但种群历史不同。此外，我们还发现了少数可能有助于适应的候选基因。

Laurel forests dominating pristine lowlands in western Japan are considered to have expanded their distribution from one or more refugia after the last glacial maximum. In this project, we investigated their evolution during and after the expansion by studying genetic structure of their representative species, Distylium racemosum, Cleyera japonica, and Zanthoxylum ailanthoides, along with Taxodium distichum that grows in wetlands of North America. We obtained some indications that the three laurel forest species, although growing in the same forest at present, had different population histories. Also we found a small number of candidate genes that might have contributed to the adaptation.