Genetic analysis of Dicranum viride

Bryophytes are important forest ecosystem elements, being an integral part of biodiversity. Genetic studies contribute to bryophyte population ecology by helping to understand species historical distribution patterns and genetic diversity at different scales. Dicranum viride is rare bryophyte species in Europe and it is important to increase the knowledge about the population ecology of this species. The aim of our study was to explore D. viride genetic diversity and structure among different localities in Latvia. We analyzed 51 D. viride genetic samples from 12 sites in Latvia and did not find genetic differentiation between populations from the studied localities. We also tested a novel for this species genotyping-by-sequencing method and proposed protocol improvements for analysis of D. viride and related species.. Dicranum viride genetic similarities among the studied localities could be related to asexual reproduction and flat topography in Latvia in contrast to other European countries. We recommend selection of other bryophyte species with sexual reproduction in future studies to better understand gene flow and reproductive barriers in this region