Breeding systems and genetic diversity in Acacia auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa.

Abstract

The mating system and genetic diversity in populations of the two tropical species from natural riverine forests and open savannas in Queensland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea were examined using isoenzyme markers. Genetic diversity was generally lower than in either conifers or eucalypts, and the degree of population differentiation was higher. Results suggest that these acacias may have smaller effective population sizes than have been found in many other trees. Both species had high levels of outcrossing with little variation in the outcrossing rate between populations.