Genetic variability at allozyme markers in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) populations from north-western Italy

Genetic diversity and differentiation of 12 native populations of sycamore ( Acer pseudoplatanus L.) from northwestern Italy were investigated by means of variation detected in 10 polymorphic isozyme systems encoded by 16 loci. The trees showed relatively large genetic variability (mean number of alleles per locus = 2.78, effective number of alleles per locus = 1.47, percentage of polymorphic loci = 96.9, expected heterozygosity = 0.280) but small interpopulational variation (FST= 0.019), suggesting the presence of a single gene pool. A slight excess of heterozygotes was found, and the overall inbreeding coefficient (FIS) was –0.038. There was a positive correlation between the age of the individuals sampled and heterozygosity, suggesting the occurrence of natural selection against homozygotes. No significant correlation was detected between genetic and geographic distances of populations, confirming the lack of any barriers to gene flow. Estimate of the mean effective number of migrants exchanged between populations was 4.399, based on the private alleles method. The contribution of the results in relation to terms of the most appropriate strategies to preserve genetic variability of sycamore and to collect forest reproductive material is discussed.