Open AccessUsing soil seed banks to assess temporal patterns of genetic variation in invasive plant populations
Author(s) -
Fennell Mark,
Gallagher Tommy,
Vintro Luis Leon,
Osborne Bruce
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.1043
Subject(s) - amplified fragment length polymorphism , biology , genetic diversity , genetic variation , population , range (aeronautics) , selection (genetic algorithm) , soil seed bank , genetic variability , ecology , botany , genotype , seedling , genetics , demography , materials science , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , composite material , gene
Most research on the genetics of invasive plant species has focused on analyzing spatial differences among existing populations. Using a long‐established G unnera tinctoria population from Ireland, we evaluated the potential of using plants derived from seeds associated with different soil layers to track genetic variation through time. This species and site were chosen because (1) G . tinctoria produces a large and persistent seed bank; (2) it has been present in this locality, S raheens, for ~90 years; (3) the soil is largely undisturbed; and (4) the soil's age can be reliably determined radiometrically at different depths. Amplified fragment length polymorphic markers ( AFLP s) were used to assess differences in the genetic structure of 75 individuals sampled from both the standing population and from four soil layers, which spanned 18 cm (estimated at ~90 years based on 210 Pb and 137 Cs dating). While there are difficulties in interpreting such data, including accounting for the effects of selection, seed loss, and seed migration, a clear pattern of lower total allele counts, percentage polymorphic loci, and genetic diversity was observed in deeper soils. The greatest percentage increase in the measured genetic variables occurred prior to the shift from the lag to the exponential range expansion phases and may be of adaptive significance. These findings highlight that seed banks in areas with long‐established invasive populations can contain valuable genetic information relating to invasion processes and as such, should not be overlooked.