Landscape genetics of a rare maple Acer miyabei using circuit theory

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25890002
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Conservation of biological resources
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba (2014); Hokkaido University (2013)
• Principal Investigator: SAEKI Ikuyo 筑波大学, 芸術系, 准教授 (70706837)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: クロビイタヤ / カエデ / 絶滅危惧種 / 保全 / 遺伝子流動 / 景観

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is to identify spatial patterns of genetic diversity of a threatened maple, Acer miyabei and examine its relationships with a regional landscape structure using circuit theory. Leaf samples were collected from 580 individuals of Acer miyabei in northern and central Japan. Twelve SSR markers were developed to determine genetic variation among the individuals and populations. I found a significant correlation between genetic distances among populations and resistance distances calculated by the theory. The result suggests that landscape features, such as degree of fragmentation of forests, strongly affect gene flows among natural populations of the species.

Free Research Field

保全生態学