Daum

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Literature Cited

  Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (Araliaceae) is a long-lived woody species primarily distributed throughout East Asia. This species is regarded as medically and ecologically important in Korea. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA to investigate its molecular variation and genetic structure in samples from Korean populations (five wild and four cultivated). The analysis of 22 primers revealed 92 loci, of which 76 were polymorphic (82.6%). Total genetic diversity at the species level was 0.316. The mean gene diversity for cultivated populations was lower than that for natural (wild) populations. Sexual reproduction modes, perennial habitat, and longevity were possible factors contributing to such high diversity. An indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (Nm = 0.367) indicated that gene flow was very low among these Korean populations.