Abstract: 5 pairs of EST-SSR markers derived by the authors were used to study genetic diversity and genetic structure of 7 wild tea populations at different altitudes in Qianjiazhai. At the species level, Shannon information index (I) and Nei’s gene diversity (He) were 1.33 and 0.66, respectively, indicating this species has high genetic diversity at species level. Along altitudinal gradients, the genetic diversity among population of wild tea was different and showed low-high-low distribution. The genetic diversity of population at altitude 2β100βm was much higher than others populations. AMOVA analysis showed that only 16.32% of the total genetic variation occurred among populations, whereas 83.68% of the variance was within populations, which was in line with the coefficient of genetic differentiation (F_st = 0.12). And the gene flow N_m was 1.84, indicating the genetic diversity between wild ancient population in was characterized by the moderate level. The genetic characteristics of wild tea and the habitat heterogeneity in different elevation are the main reason of existing genetic pattern.

Key words: wild tea, altitude, genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, EST-SSR