THE SPATIAL GENETIC-STRUCTURE IN NATURAL-POPULATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN TEMPERATE RAIN-FOREST TREE ATHEROSPERMA-MOSCHATUM (LABILL) (MONIMIACEAE)

The spatial distribution of genotypes at six enzyme loci was investigated in 17 natural populations of the temperate rainforest tree Atherosperma moschatum using spatial autocorrelation. The results from the different enzymes were consistent at each population as well as among populations, particularly at short distances: There were stronger associations overall between like homozygous trees than like heterozygous trees. Unlike trees were generally significantly negatively autocorrelated at short distances. Two consistent patterns of associations were found with increasing distances between trees. A highly consistent average patch length was found in most populations for the enzymes studied. The results suggest that there are small neighbourhood sizes in this species and therefore small stands are worth conserving. In addition, larger populations are unlikely to be homogenous. Therefore, conserving one part of a population may not adequately sample its genetic variability.