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GENETIC VARIATION AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THE FERN BLECHNUM SPICANT (BLECHNACEAE) FROM WESTERN NORTH AMERICA
Author(s) -
Soltis Pamela S.,
Soltis Douglas E.
Publication year - 1988
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.1537-2197.1988.tb12159.x
Subject(s) - biology , genetic structure , outcrossing , population , fern , biological dispersal , inbreeding , genetic variation , genetic variability , evolutionary biology , mating system , population genetics , ecology , mating , genetics , demography , gene , pollen , sociology , genotype
Population genetic structure in the homosporous fern Blechnum spicant was analyzed in six populations from western North America. Each population was divided into approximately 10 m by 10 m subpopulations, and genetic variation within and among subpopulations was compared using enzyme electrophoresis and F statistics. These analyses indicated that there was no evidence of genetic structure in four of the six populations examined. However, significant genetic heterogeneity among subpopulations was observed for the other two populations. The genetic structure of these populations may be attributable, in part, to family structure resulting from high rates of intragametophytic selling and/or spatial patchiness in the distribution of individuals due to limited habitat availability in these areas. Outcrossing populations of B. spicant generally lack genetic structure, whereas the most highly inbreeding population maintains significant genetic structure. The information obtained in this investigation of population genetic structure in Blechnum spicant is consistent with data for angiosperms and gymnosperms. It appears that the outcrossing mating system and effective mechanism of spore dispersal in B. spicant may account for the general lack of genetic structure within populations of this species.