Differentiation and population subdivision in Picea mongolica based on microsatellite analyses

► Different phenotypes of three groups of Picea mongolica. ► High level differentiation of P. mongolica was detected by microsatellites. ► The denomination of ecotype for three groups of P. mongolica was reasonable. ► Differential moisture in sand dune leads to the genetic differentiation. ► Habitat fragmentation accelerates the differentiation of P. mongolica.