| Abstract Detail
Pteridological Section/AFS Dauphin, Benjamin [1], Farrar, Donald [2], Grant, Jason [1]. Gene flow by spore dispersal vs sperm transport by subsurface water flow in outcrossing Botrychium lunaria populations in the Swiss Alps. As frequently observed in basal ferns, intragametophytic selfing is the most predominant mode of reproduction in the genus Botrychium due to the difficulties of sperm movement between underground bisexual gametophytes. Previous population genetic studies have shown exceptionally low heterozygosity in all investigated diploid species, especially for the species B. lunaria in which more than 1 000 plants were analyzed along its distribution area. Recently, an unexpected high level of heterozygosity has been discovered in four geographically Alpine populations in the Swiss Alps. These surprising results may suggest an intense gene flow within populations and raises questions about biological mechanisms maintaining this genetic variability at the individual level. Combining population genetics with an experimental approach in natural populations, we investigate the role of subsurface water flow versus the transport of spores via wind in the transfer of sperm between gametophytes. Secondly, we compare the historic and contemporary genetic diversity between and within populations to assess to what extent the current genetic variability is maintained by gene flow.
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1 - University of Neuchâtel, Biology, Rue Emile-Argand, 11, Neuchâtel, NE, 2000, Switzerland
2 - Iowa State University, Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, 251 Bessey Hall, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
Keywords:
Botrychium
intragametophytic selfing
gene flow.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPD001
Abstract ID:391
Candidate for Awards:None |
