A cline of allozyme variation in Abies mariesii

Genetic variation at 22 allozyme loci was examined for 1,003 trees from 11 isolated natural populations of Abies mariesii covering all except the southernmost region of its geographic range. Genetic diversity within species (H_es=0.063) was low compared to many other long-lived woody species. Most of the genetic variation is found within populations (G_ST=0.144) despite their isolated distribution. Genetic distance between populations was positively correlated with geographic distance. Genetic diversity within populations was generally low (mean H_ep=0.054), but varied across populations in a clinal fashion such that genetic variation decreased with increasing latitude. These genetic characteristics may reflect the distribution history of this species.