Genetic variation in Abies nebrodensis: a case study for a highly endangered species

lozyme, DNA markers, sequence data and monoterpenes have been used to estimate genetic and taxonomic relationships among different populations of Abies alba Mill, and the unique population of Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei, one of the most relevant example of relic species in the world. High ievel of differentiation among populations were found using all the different approaches. The genetic distance between A. nebrodensis and the group of A, alba populations was much greater than that among A. alba populations located more than 1,000 km apart. The results provide support for the classification of A, nebrodensis and A. alba into distinct taxonomic groups.