Fine scale spatial genetic structure of the endangered Heptacodium miconioides endemic to China

A study on the spatial genetic structure of endangered plants can provide basic information to support species management and conservation. Heptacodium miconioides Rehder is an endangered plant endemic to China. The fine-scale spatial genetic structure of H. miconioides individuals and within population age classes was studied to elucidate population history and selection pressures and to predict the species evolutionary potential. Significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure of H. miconioides populations at a distance less than 8.06 m may occur because of limited pollen dispersal, asexual reproduction and micro-environmental selection. The significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure of H. miconioides populations from four different age classes might be due to self-thinning and human disturbance. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.