Classification of Genus Acanthopanax in Korea and Genetic Diversity Using Allozymes

Genus Acanthopanax is a long-lived woody species that is primarily distributed throughout Asia. Many species of this genus are regarded as medically and ecologically important. We evaluated a representative sample of the nine taxa with allozymes to estimate genetic relationships within the genus. As some Korean populations were isolated and patchily distributed, they exhibited a low level of genetic diversity. The narrow geographic ranges, artificial distribution of habitats, and small population sizes are proposed as factors contributing to low genetic diversity. Acanthopanax seoulense was similar to A. sessiliflorus, while a cluster of the A. rufinerve population is distant from any other species. A. senticosus is closely related to A. seoulense and A. sessiliflorus, whereas other species (A. koreanum) are more distinct from the Korean populations. Korean species are clustered together and clearly differentiated from the Chinese and Russian Acanthopanax taxa, genus Acanthopanax