ALLOZYME AND CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIATION IN ITALIAN AND GREEK POPULATIONS OF PINUS-LEUCODERMIS

Allozyme and chloroplast (cpDNA) variation was examined in five Italia n and two Greek populations of Pinus leucodermis Ant. to estimate leve ls of genetic variability within and among populations and to establis h the usefulness of allozyme and cpDNA markers in the taxonomic classi fication of these populations. Twenty-three isozyme gene loci were ana lysed, as well as restriction fragment length polymorphisms at two cpD NA spacer regions between tRNA genes. The level of genetic variability tended to be lower in the Greek populations but overall the observed levels of allozyme variation within and among populations were similar to those of other conifers. Identical cpDNA amplification and restric tion patterns were observed among all individuals sampled from the sev en populations. Taken together, the results of the allozyme and cpDNA analyses indicate that all seven populations belong to the same biolog ical species.