A detailed survey of mitochondrial and chloroplast diversity in eight populations of Silene vulgaris from Central Europe was conducted for comparison with previously published data on diversity from S. vulgaris populations in the introduced range. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation around the coxI gene was assessed with Southern blotting/restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Chloroplast variation was assessed by sequencing the intergenic spacer separating the trnH and psbA genes. Thirty mtDNA haplotypes and 24 chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes were found within 86 individuals. The overall genetic diversity h (0.941 for mitochondrial, and 0.893 for chloroplast markers) and within-population diversity were higher than reported in previous population studies of S. vulgaris in the USA and Europe. The frequency of private alleles was surprisingly high - more than 90% for both kinds of markers. Most of our populations were large and located in relatively undisturbed meadows, whereas surveys in Virginia consisted of smaller roadside populations. The slow rate of population turnover in European populations is discussed as a factor responsible for the relatively high diversity of S. vulgaris in undisturbed areas of its native range. Association between mtDNA and cpDNA haplotypes was also demonstrated. Finally, gender and mtDNA haplotype were associated in the Alps populations, where females were very rare.

Institute of Experimental Botany Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Rozvojová 135 165 00 Prague 6 Lysolaje Czech Republic

References provided by Crossref.org

Differentially Expressed Genes Shared by Two Distinct Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) Types of Silene vulgaris Suggest the Importance of Oxidative Stress in Pollen Abortion

Homologous recombination changes the context of Cytochrome b transcription in the mitochondrial genome of Silene vulgaris KRA

Non-coding RNA may be associated with cytoplasmic male sterility in Silene vulgaris

Transcription of atp1 is influenced by both genomic configuration and nuclear background in the highly rearranged mitochondrial genomes of Silene vulgaris

Mosaic origins of a complex chimeric mitochondrial gene in Silene vulgaris

Transcription profiles of mitochondrial genes correlate with mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in a natural population of Silene vulgaris