The expansion of sterile 'Arundo donax' (Poaceae) in southeastern Australia is accompanied by genotypic variation

Title
The expansion of sterile 'Arundo donax' (Poaceae) in southeastern Australia is accompanied by genotypic variation
Publication Date
2013
Author(s)
Haddadchi, Azadeh
Gross, Caroline L
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8014-1548
Email: cgross@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cgross
Fatemi, Mohammad
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6618-4234
Email: mfatemi2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:mfatemi2
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Place of publication
Netherlands
DOI
10.1016/j.aquabot.2012.07.006
UNE publication id
une:12205
Abstract
Reproductive modes and dispersal mechanisms shape the genotypic structure of populations which in turn influences a species' capacity for successful invasion. Understanding the limitations in a species' reproductive capacity may assist with finding the best approach to control the expansion of an invasive species. To understand the founder history against the spread of 'Arundo donax', we examined genotypic variation, using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers, and we determined ploidy and fertility in 10 single (one patch) and seven multiple (spatially distinct patches) stands scattered along three river systems in southeastern Australia. No seed was detected in any plant and shriveled anthers did not produce pollen. Somatic chromosome counts identified uneven ploidy levels (2n = 7x = 84), which may be the cause of sterility in 'A. donax'. Of the 58 plants sampled we detected 38 genotypes, and genotypic variation was moderate to high within each river system (G/N = 0.485-1.000 and Simpson's D = 0.881-1.000). Three genotypes were found in more than one stand, suggesting that the invasive spread of 'A. donax' by vegetative propagules is not a rare event. Genetically distinct genotypes were detected in all single stands. Sections of the river systems that contained multiple stands of 'A. donax' revealed that each stand was a unique genotype; this may be attributable to multiple founders, somatic mutations, and/or polyploidy. Our results indicate that sterility has had little effect on retarding the dispersal of heptaploid 'A. donax' in southeastern Australia, and reproduction through vegetative fragments is an effective dispersal mechanism.
Link
Citation
Aquatic Botany, v.104, p. 153-161
ISSN
0304-3770
Start page
153
End page
161

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