蒙古栎主要分布区天然群体表型多样性OA

This study investigated the resource diversity of Quercus mongolica in different populations to reveal the mechanism underlying its phenotypic diversity,providing a reference for the conservation of Q.mongolica resources and the breeding of superior populations.Thirty-six natural populations of Q.mongolica from Northeast China,North China,and Inner Mongolia were used as materials.Seventeen phenotypic traits,including leaf and branch characteristics,were measured,combined with geo-climatic factors.Phenotypic diversity and variation patterns were analyzed using the phenotypic varia-tion rate,principal component analysis(PCA),and correlation analysis.The results showed that the coefficient of pheno-typic variation of Q.mongolica populations ranged from 12.11%to 46.08%.Variation among populations(66.09%of to-tal variance)was significantly higher than that within populations(20.77%of total variance),and the phenotypic differ-entiation coefficient ranged from 43.60%to 87.55%.The Shannon-Weaver diversity index was the highest for diameter at breast height(DBH)(2.69)and the lowest for leaf area(0.34).Relatively high genetic diversity was observed in popu-lations from Horqin Left Rear Banner,Tongliao City,Inner Mongolia.Principal component analysis revealed that DBH,leaf size,and leaf shape were the main drivers of phenotypic differentiation.Cluster analysis divided the 36 populations in-to two groups,and independent population differentiation was caused by environmental isolation and local climatic differ-ences.Q.mongolica populations possess abundant genetic variation,and phenotypic trait variation mainly occurs among populations.Phenotypic plasticity and resource allocation trade-offs have evolved under long-term natural selection,enab-ling the species to adapt to diverse habitats.