Deciphering the evolutionary imprints of Camellia oleifera Abel.: delineating its distinct phylogeographic structure and demographic history through microsatellite and plastid fragment

The presence of distinct genetic patterns observed in cpDNA and SSR makers may account for the divergent hereditary characteristics between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes, resulting in disparate phylogeographic patterns. The Nanling mountain range was regarded as a dispersal conduit that facilitated effective gene flow between the two refugia, leading to the extensive distribution and stable evolutionary trajectory of C. oleifera. These methods and findings can provide a reference for uncovering the demographic history of perennial woody oil crops and facilitate the utilization of wild C. oleifera genetic resources for the genetic breeding.