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Abstract Detail



Population Genetics/Genomics

Haynsen, Matthew [1], Fu, Chengxin [2], Crandall, Keith [3], Egan, Ashley [4].

Population Genomics of the United States Kudzu Invasion.

Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu), one of the most invasive plant species in the United States (US), is native to southeastern Asia. The vine was initially introduced into the US from Japan during the Centennial Exposition in 1876 with subsequent mass plantings throughout the southeastern US through the 1940s to 1950s. The native geographic origin(s) of these introduced populations remain unknown, which poses a concern due to the wide native range of P. montana, a species complex containing three varieties that share overlapping ranges and morphological characteristics. Only through the use of high resolution molecular markers on populations of P. montana across its native and US ranges will it be possible to determine: 1) How do the genetic diversities between the native and US ranges compare? 2) Where did the US plantings originate? 3) How many times was kudzu introduced? 4) What varieties of P. montana are found in the US? 5) Are there varietal hybrids located in the US?
In this study, we used Genotyping-by-Sequencing to assess the genetic variation of >660 P. montana from China, Japan, Thailand, and the US. Through the use of >800 SNPs we calculated both the among- and within-nation genetic diversities, assessed genetic structuring across ranges, and tested models of introduction. Pairwise FST values ranged from 0.024 to 0.485 between nations. Individuals were assigned to 14 genetic units by fastSTRUCTURE. An AMOVA parsed the molecular variance out to 4% among nations, 6% among states/provinces, and 90% within states/provinces.
The genetic diversity found within the US is greater than that found across the sampled native range of the P. montana species complex, suggesting multiple introductions from multiple geographic and genetic sources. Even though samples were collected across three Asian nations, only five native genetic units were discovered among eight introduced units. Through these coinciding units, we identified multiple populations from Japan (3) and northern and southern China as genetic sources of US kudzu. However, given the greater genetic diversity within the US relative to Asia, several US populations represent genetic diversity that has yet to be sampled within the native ranges. Additionally, while all three varieties of P. montana were found in Asia, only two were found in the US, with hybridization between varieties being absent in the US.


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1 - 4301 Buchanan Ave, Apt A, Baltimore, MD, 21211, United States
2 - Zhejiang University, College Of Life Sciences, 866 Yuhangtang Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
3 - The George Washington University, Biology, Innovation Hall, 45085 University Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA
4 - 11114 Orleans Way, Kensington, MD, 20895, United States

Keywords:
kudzu
Pueraria montana
invasive
population genomics.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 38, Population Genetics and Genomics I
Location: 101/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Wednesday, July 25th, 2018
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 38003
Abstract ID:475
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award


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