Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Ricono, Angela [1], Gustafson, Nichole [2], Puzey, Joshua [3], Dalgleish, Harmony [4].

Extent of intrapopulation clonality in Asclepias syriaca.

Abstract: Many plants reproduce clonally through rhizomes or stolons. Clonality in plants has the possibility to alter both fine-scale genetic and functional structure within populations. First, clonality may alter the physical location of discrete genotypes within populations. Second, underground connections in clonal plants (either roots or rhizomes) offer the possibility of resource sharing between above ground stems. Using common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as a model system, we investigate the magnitude and impact of clonality on local structure. Microsatellites were used to determine the fine-scale genetic structure and proportion of clonality within milkweed populations. After identifying clonally related individuals, this information was then incorporated with spatial data to identify how genotypes spatially cluster within transects. Finally, phenotypic functional trait data (including number of leaves; length and width of leaves; number of seed pods) was added to the small-scale geographic map of clonally. Combining these data allowed us to test whether individual milkweed stems were more phenotypically similar based on genotype or fine-scale location within a transect. We found that apical height, stem diameter, and number of inflorescences all correlated with distance across years in some transects, but these traits never correlated with distance in others. This indicates that clone size in A. syriaca varies across patches. These results have fundamental implications for our understanding of milkweed biology and population dynamics.

1 - College of William and Mary, Biology, 150 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
2 - 12075 Cedarcreek Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45240, United States
3 - College Of William And Mary, Biology Dept., 540 Landrum Dr., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
4 - College of William and Mary, 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States

Keywords:
Asclepias syriaca
milkweed
microsatellites
clonal population structure.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 29, Reproductive Processes II
Location: 111/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Tuesday, July 24th, 2018
Time: 3:00 PM
Number: 29007
Abstract ID:535
Candidate for Awards:None