| Abstract Detail
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Tsirelson, Dina [1], Kesseli, Rick [2]. Genetic Diversity of Native and Invasive Populations of Centaurea maculosa (Compositae). Centaurea maculosa (Spotted Knapweed), a member of the Composite family and a native of Eurasia, is a major invasive in North America, overtaking large stretches of grassland. In its native range, spotted knapweed is either diploid or tetraploid, while to date, only tetraploids have been found in North American. The genetic diversity of source populations, in conjunction with multiple introductions, can contribute to the invasive nature of an introduced species. A comparison of genetic structure and diversity in native and introduced ranges could identify the sources of the introduction and contribute to understanding the mechanics of invasion. Samples from native and invasive populations were analyzed using chloroplast and nuclear markers. At least six cpDNA haplotypes have been identified, and the data suggest at least two major introductions to the U.S. Preliminary results with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear rRNA locus and with single copy expressed sequences for the Conserved Orthologous Set (COS) seem to suggest that both allo- and auto-tetraploids may be present. The paternal contributor to the allotetraploid has not been determined. This work is part of a larger project examining weedy composites and the genetic changes associated with invasiveness.
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1 - University of Massachusetts, Boston, Biology, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA, 02125, USA
2 - University of Massachusetts Boston, Biology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
Keywords:
Invasive Species
polyploidy
Spotted Knapweed.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P74003
Abstract ID:1693 |
