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ELECTROPHORETIC EVIDENCE FOR INBREEDING IN THE FERN BOTRYCHIUM VIRGINIANUM (OPHIOGLOSSACEAE)
Author(s) -
Soltis Douglas E.,
Soltis Pamela S.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1986.tb12078.x
Subject(s) - biology , inbreeding , fern , loss of heterozygosity , genetic diversity , evolutionary biology , botany , genetics , population , gene , allele , demography , sociology
An electrophoretic investigation of Botrychium virginianum was conducted to determine the levels and distribution of genetic variation within and among populations of this species. A total of 18 loci representing seven enzymes was examined. For the four polymorphic loci, observed heterozygosity was substantially lower than expected heterozygosity. Values of F were extremely high, indicating a significant deviation from random mating, probably due to inbreeding. We suggest that the high inbreeding coefficients obtained result from a life cycle involving subterranean gametophytes which restrict sperm movement. The study also demonstrates the value of using F ‐statistics and gene diversity statistics to analyze genetic subdivision in a fern species. Despite the high chromosome number reported for B. virginianum ( n = 90), there is no genetic evidence to support the contention that this species is highly polyploid.