Spatial genetic structure of allozyme polymorphisms within populations of Rhus trichocarpa (Anacardiaceae)

Rhus trichocarpa MIQ. (Anacardiaceae) is a dioecious, insect-pollinated tre e. It has a wide distribution in East Asia, from Japan, China and Korea, no rth to Sakhalin. In these regions, R. trichocarpa is a pioneer tree that, o nce established, creates conditions favorable for subsequent successional t ree species, by providing attractive perching for various bird species, whi ch then drop seed of the later successional species. Later species form pin e-oak forests which overgrow R. trichocarpa. We used allozyme loci and spat ial autocorrelation statistics to examine the spatial distribution of alloz yme polymorphisms of individuals in two Korean populations. Populations of the species maintain moderate levels of allozyme variation (mean H-e = 0.17 3, G(ST) = 0.064). It was found that genetic patch width was at least 25 m, and this was created by limits to seed or pollen dispersal.