SREL Reprint #2861
Analysis of the spatial genetic structure of Passiflora incarnata in recently disturbed sites
Rebecca T. Tague1 and Stephanie A. Foré2
1Division
of Science, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501, USA
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
Abstract:
In early successional species, short life span and frequent spatial relocation
may affect the distribution of genetic variation but the pattern may be
altered by reproductive patterns. Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloraceae),
an early successional vine found throughout the southeastern United States,
reproduces sexually and asexually through clonal sprouts. We examined
the genetic structure of P. incarnata in recently disturbed habitats
at three spatial scales: within a patch, among patches separated by 250
m, and between sites separated by 10 km. Genetic variation may be clumped
at the scale of neighboring plants if stem resprouting is significant.
In each patch, eleven arbitrarily selected plants and their four nearest
neighbors were mapped and leaf samples were collected for genetic analysis.
The
multilocus genotype of each individual for seven polymorphic allozymes
was determined. Potential clones were determined by estimating the probability
of a second occurrence of each genotype and a multilocus coefficient of
coancestry (ρij). Data indicated P. incarnata
was reproducing primarily sexually. Most of the genetic variation was
within a patch with little variation among patches. These data suggest
that the genetic structure of this colonizing species was determined by
founder effects interacting with long distance pollen movement.
Keywords: allozymes, passionflower, spatial, genetic structure, early colonizer, Passiflora incarnata
SREL Reprint #2861
Tague, R. T. and S. A. Foré. 2005. Analysis of the spatial genetic structure of Passiflora incarnata in recently disturbed sites. Canadian Journal of Botany 83:420-426.