Genetic Analysis of Black Spruce (Picea mariana) Populations from Dry and Wet Areas of a Metal-Contaminated Region in Ontario (Canada)

Genetic variation and genetic structure of black spruce (Picea mariana L.) populations growing in wet land (lowlands) and dry lands (uplands) with different levels of metal contaminations were analyzed using ISSR. Polymorphic loci (P%) ranged from 65% to 90% with a mean of 75%. Nei's gene diversity (h) varied from 0.264 to 0.359 with a mean of 0.310, and Shannon's index (I) ranged from 0.381 to 0.524 with a mean of 0.449. The level of genetic variation was higher in populations from wet lands than those from dry lands. Variation within populations accounts for most of total genetic variation. The genetic distance among the black spruce (P. mariana) populations ranged from 0.171 to 0.351. The present study indicates that genetic variation and long-term exposure to metals (more than 30 years) are not associated. Cytological analysis of black spruce seeds from metal-contaminated and -uncontaminated areas showed normal mitotic behavior during prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.