Hybridization has localized effect on genetic variation in closely related pine species

Background: Hybridization is a known phenomenon in nature but its genetic impact on populations of parental species remains less understood. We investigated the evolutionary consequences of the interspecific gene flow in several contact zones of closely related pine species. Using a set of genetic markers from both nuclear and organellar genomes, we analyzed a large panel of reference allopatric populations of parental taxa (96 stands, 2601 individuals).  
Results: We observed reduced genetic diversity in maternally transmitted mitochondrial genomes of pure pine species and hybrids from contact zones compared to reference allopatric populations. The distribution of mtDNA haplotypes followed geographic rather than species boundaries. Additionally, no new haplotypes emerged in the contact zones, instead, these zones contained the most common local variants. However, species diverged significantly at nuclear genomes, and populations in contact zones exhibited similar or higher genetic dive..., , , # Data from: Hybridization has localized effect on genetic variation in closely related pine species

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gf1vhhmxn](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gf1vhhmxn)

## Description of the data and file structure

Genetic data is divided in two files - one for nuclear and one for mitochondrial data. Nuclear data is a set of 14 polymorphic microsatellites designed for pines. Mitochondrial data is a set of 13 markers (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and an indel marker coded as a SNP) generated using a SNaPshot approach. The first two rows of both files contain population and marker information generated by GenAlEx.

### Files and variables

#### File: mtDNA.xlsx

**Description:** The mtDNA genotypes of 2601 pine individuals scored at 13 polymorphic mtDNA regions. The column sample contains individual ID, and pop population ID.

#### File: nSSR.xlsx

**Description:** The table contains genotype data scored from 2073 pine individuals across 73 populations. Rounded...