The complex is shown to consist of several thousands of distinct clones, which can be grouped into 2 major lineage groups based on molecular markers.
Clonal diversity is at least as high in the Arctic as in the temperate zone.
Moreover, the genetic structure of all the subgroups is extremely fragmented, implying that clonal composition in the Arctic differs conspicuously among regions. This extraordinary diversity with its spatial structure on local to continental geographic scales defies the general notion of the Arctic tundra as a homogenous biome of low biodiversity.