Species Associations with Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis of Pinus rigida and Pyrola japonica

The spatial distributions of allelic frequencies and ecological traits by randomization were studied in the natural population of two species (Pinus rigida and Pyrola japonica). Both species showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation as measured by Moran's I. In P. rigida, the genetic similarity was shown in individuals within up to a scale of 18 m distance and this is partly due to combination of pollen and seed dispersal by wind or men. In P. japonica, significant spatial autocorrelation was consisted of a scale of 8 m intervals. These population structure in the distribution of allelic frequencies is related to mating systems such as outcrossing and vegetative spread. The results also indicate that positive species associations between P. rigida and P. japonica can occur when both species select the same habitat or require the same environmental conditions.