Geographical differences of six coastal plants native to Japan based on variation of chloroplast DNA haplotypes

Abstract

Establishment of seed transfer zones is essential to use locally sourced seeds in revegetation. In this context, we analyzed geographical differences based on genetic variations of six coastal plants species among warm temperate region of Japan (Tohoku to Kyushu) based on non-coding region of chloroplast DNA (3,010—3,647 bp). The results showed two geographical groups divided Sea of Japan side and Pacific Ocean side for Lathyrus japonicus. Whereas, apparent geographical differences were not observed for Calystegia soldanella and Melanthera prostrata despite of more than two haplotypes were obtained. For Carex kobomugi, Carex pumila and Phyla nodiflora, all samples had the same haplotypes.