Genetic Status of an Isolated Relict Population of Dwarf Stone Pine in Mt. Seorak

摘要

Genetic variation of a dwarf stone pine(Pinus pumila Regel) population in Mt. Seorak, which is an unique and the southern peripheral population in South Korea, was investigated using allozyme markers at 15 loci in 50 individuals. The estimates of genetic variation were A=1.9, P_(95),=46.7, H_o=0.138, and H_e=0.181. These values were somewhat different from those of other Korean native Pinus species, and much lower than those value analysed in Russian and Japanese populations of the same species. Ofthe nine polymorphic loci studied, a significant heterozygote deficiency was observed in three loci, AAT-2, GDH and MNR(p<0.05), and a relatively high level of inbreeding coefficient (F=0.205) was estimated within the study population. Possible explanations for these observations may be as follows; (1) several genetic patches might exist within the study population and inbreeding might be going on among genetically close individuals, (2) Wahlund effect might be resulted from sampling individuals from several sexually isolated genetic patches. Considering not only the relatively low level of genetic diversity, small population size, and geographic isolation from other populations, but man and/or wildlife-caused disturbances, it is necessary to providesuitable conservation methods for the study population immediately.