Using reduced representation libraries sequencing methods to identify cpDNA polymorphisms in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L)

Reduced representation genomic libraries (RRLs) are increasingly used to answer diverse questions in evolutionary biology, which remained unresolved otherwise. In the case of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), former applications of nuclear and chloroplast genetic markers indicated that most of the beech populations of Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe have a very homogeneous genetic structure. Thus, determining differentiation among populations of F. sylvatica at regional scale in Central Europe has remained a challenge for evolutionary biologists, mainly due to lack of variable genetic markers. In this study, we used the RAD-seq and GBS approaches to identify novel cpDNA polymorphisms that could be helpful to identify population structure of European beech at geographical scale. Our datasets allowed us to indicate a finer population structure and stronger patterns of spatial genetic structure than previous studies. It is expected that the applications of cpDNA-based phylogenetic approaches using whole-genome sequencing are able to provide even more detailed picture of species phylogeography than ever before.