Sex Distribution of Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) in the Pacific.

摘要: Background Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Her. ex Vent) is a dioecious tree native to East Asia and mainland Southeast-Asia, introduced prehistorically Polynesia as source of bark fiber by Austronesian-speaking voyagers. In Oceania, trees are coppiced harvested for production bark-cloth, so flowering generally unknown. A survey botanical records paper revealed distributional disjunction: the apparently absent in Borneo Philippines. subsequent study chloroplast haplotypes linked Remote Oceania directly population southern Taiwan, distinct from known populations Southeast-Asia. Methodology We describe optimization use DNA marker designed identify sex mulberry. We used this determine distribution selected localities across Asia, Near Oceania. also characterized all samples using ribosomal internal transcribed spacer sequence (ITS) order relate results previous ITS diversity. Results In contemporary plants female with exception Hawaii, where both sexes found. its natural range male found, expected. Male Hawaii display an Asian genotype, consistent modern introduction, while females share distinctive variant. Conclusions Most now present Pacific appear be descended clones prehistorically. presence thought reflect dual origin, one prehistoric introduction other Japanese/Chinese immigrants. If only were dispersed source-region may explain absence breeding Philippines Borneo,