Genetic and phenotypic differentiation of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. in Pritobolie and Europe.

Geographic variation and differentiation of the chloroplast DNA haplotypes and morpho-anatomical leaf parameters were assessed in a number of eastern European groups of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. populations and in the Pritobolien group of populations of this species in Western Siberia, which have long been isolated from the European populations. Sharply pronounced genetic and phenotypic distances and their gradients between the Pritobolien and European population groups were revealed. These distances were many times higher than those between the relatively homogeneous eastern European groups. The data obtained generally supported the hypothesis on the phenogenetic divergence of the Pritobolien marginal populations of C. vulgaris from the European, probably at the subspecies level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]