Data from: Phylogeography of Pulsatilla cernua (Ranunculaceae), a grassland species, in Japan

The genetic diversity and structure of Pulsatilla cernua, a
continental-grassland relict, were investigated using variations in
chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and microsatellites of nuclear DNA. In the
analyses of three cpDNA regions, 17 haplotypes were found in 24
populations of P. cernua from Japan, Korea, and Russia. Although the route
and time of migration between the continent of Asia and Japan could not be
well resolved, the cpDNA haplotype network suggests the existence of
several ancient lineages in Japan and a recent secondary migration from
Japan to the continent. Microsatellite analyses did not indicate genetic
structure among the Japanese populations, indicating the existence of gene
flow across the distribution area until recently. These results indicate
that the present fragmentation of P. cernua in Japan may reflect a rapid,
recent reduction from a previously large, continuous distribution.