Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Lebanon oak (Quercus libani) populations in north Zagros forests revealed by molecular SCoT marker, and morphological and biochemical properties

In this work, the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of 109 individuals from nine populations of Lebanon oak (Quercus libani) of north-Zagros forests was investigated using start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular marker, and leaf morphological and biochemical characteristics. Cluster analysis of all phenotypic data grouped the studied populations into five main clusters. Totally, ten SCoT primers produced 101 amplification products, of which 92 fragments (90%) were polymorphic. Nei’s gene diversity (h) and Shannon’s diversity index (I) were relatively high at the both species (h =0.284, I = 0.431) and population (h = 0.258, I = 0.279) levels. High phenotypic and genetic diversity demonstrated that Lebanon oak populations in north Zagros forests maintained a high level of variation. The estimated GST (0.29) showed that the most revealed genetic diversity resided within populations (87%), which was identified with the moderate gene flow level (Nm = 1.175). The relatively high intra-population genetic diversity and low inter-population genetic differentiation was largely attributed to long distance dispersal of pollen, and continuous distribution of populations. Mantel test indicated no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among populations. Breeding systems characteristics, genetic drift and extensive gene flow are probably important factors for explaining this differentiation.