High clonal diversity in threatened peripheral populations of the yellow bird's nest (Hypopitys monotropa; syn. Monotropa hypopitys)

Gemma E. Beatty, Jim Provan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and Aims Peripheral populations of plant species are often characterized by low levels of genetic diversity as a result of genetic drift, restricted gene flow, inbreeding and asexual reproduction. These effects can be exacerbated where range-edge populations are fragmented. The main aim of the present study was to assess the levels of genetic diversity in remnant populations of Hypopitys monotropa (syn. Monotropa hypopitys; yellow bird's nest) at the edge of the species' European range in Northern Ireland, since these remnant populations are small and highly fragmented.

Methods Every plant found through surveys of 21 extant populations was genotyped for eight microsatellite loci to estimate levels and patterns of genetic diversity and clonality.

Key Results Levels of genetic diversity were relatively high in the populations studied, and the incidence of clonal reproduction was generally low, with a mean of only 14.45% of clonal individuals. Clones were small and highly spatially structured. Levels of inbreeding, however, were high.

Conclusions The observed low levels of clonality suggest that the majority of genets in the populations of H. monotropa studied are fertile and that reproduction is predominantly sexual. As the species is highly self-compatible, it is likely that the high levels of inbreeding observed in the populations in the present study are the result of self-pollination, particularly given the small numbers of individuals in most of the patches. Given this extent of inbreeding, further genetic monitoring would be advisable to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)663-670
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Botany
Volume107
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2011

Keywords

  • Clonality
  • conservation
  • distribution range
  • fragmentation
  • inbreeding
  • Hypopitys monotropa
  • Monotropoideae
  • Pyrolaceae
  • HERB PARIS-QUADRIFOLIA
  • GENETIC DIVERSITY
  • CONSERVATION GENETICS
  • ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
  • SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
  • WOODLAND HERB
  • RANGE-EDGE
  • PATTERNS
  • GROWTH
  • ERICACEAE

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