Genetic variation within and among populations of Camelliajaponica (Theaceae) in Korea

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Abstract
The genetic diversity and structure of 17 Korean populations of Camelliajaponica L., a broad-leaved evergreen tree, was examined. Although most populations are restricted to several islands near the southern and southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula, they maintain higher levels of genetic variation within populations than do long-lived, woody angiosperms. For example, 13 of 16 loci examined were polymorphic in at least one population, the mean number of alleles per locus was 2.63, and mean expected heterozygosity was 0.265. These values were comparable with those for continuously distributed, mainland populations of C. japonica in Japan. However, a considerably high level of heterozygote deficiency was observed in Korean populations of C. japonica (mean FIS = 0.202). About 13% of the total genetic variation was found among populations (GST = 0.129). Indirect estimates of the number of migrants per generation (1.69, calculated from FST; 2.14, calculated from the mean frequency of eight private alleles) indicate that gene flow among island populations is moderate. Factors contributing to the high levels of genetic diversity found in the entire species of C. japonica include long generation times, ability to regenerate by stump sprouting, predominant outcrossing induced by animal vectors, and occasional pollen dispersal by birds.

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