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Abstract Detail



Conservation Biology

Nowell, Victoria [1], Wang, Song [2], Smith, Tyler William [2].

Population genetic structure and habitat characteristics of Trichophorum planifolium (Cyperaceae), an endangered sedge in Canada.

Trichophorum planifolium, the few-flowered club-rush, is an endangered species in Canada. It reaches the northern limit of its range here, but, like 90% of species-at-risk in Canada, it is common further south. Populations at the range edge often make important contributions to local biodiversity and may be a source of adaptive and evolutionary potential for the species, possessing unique adaptations to local conditions. However, such populations are typically small and isolated and may therefore be susceptible to extinction, due to genetic and stochastic factors. Using microsatellite markers, we evaluated neutral genetic diversity and population structure of T. planifolium. We also contrasted environmental conditions (soil composition, topography, climate and habitat structure) between the single extant Canadian population, the site of the only other Canadian record (now extirpated) and populations in the core of the range. Our genetic data reveals that this species is predominantly selfing, and the Canadian population retains genetic diversity comparable to levels observed across the range of the species. However, soil conditions, particularly pH, differ between US locations and those in Canada. Further investigation is needed to determine if the Canadian population has differentiated physiologically from its southern relatives in order to cope with this altered edaphic environment.


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1 - Carleton University, Biology, Nesbitt Biology Building, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6 , Canada
2 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Biodiversity, K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada

Keywords:
conservation genetics
Microsatellites
endangered
population genetics
Cyperaceae
Trichophorum.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB008
Abstract ID:1124
Candidate for Awards:Ian and Syvia Taylor Award


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