Abstract Detail

Population Genetics/Genomics

Bautzmann, Rachel [1], Pesch, Jared [1], Murphy, Brandon [1], Tippery, Nicholas [2].

Assessing the genetic diversity of native and non-native Phragmites (common reed) in Wisconsin.

Invasive species threaten the health of ecosystems worldwide, where they can outcompete and exclude native species. Phragmites australis (European common reed) is an invasive plant from Eurasia that has impacted wetlands throughout North America. A closely related native plant, P. americanus (American common reed), grows in similar habitats and is in danger of being outcompeted by the more aggressive European common reed. In order to better understand the two Phragmites species in Wisconsin, we set out to study their genetic variability and to assess geographical and ecological factors that may influence their respective distributions. We obtained plant material from 21 P. americanus populations and 22 P. australis populations throughout the state and quantified their genetic diversity using eight previously designed microsatellite markers. We evaluated genotypes for 442 individuals in 20 counties across the state. Between two and five alleles were recovered for each marker. All markers were genetically variable within P. australis, and five of the eight markers were variable in P. americanus. Out of 30 total alleles, all but four were private to one of the two species. In P. americanus, two markers showed significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas in P. australis seven markers were significantly different from equilibrium. Surprisingly we found greater genetic diversity in the non-native P. australis than in the native P. americanus, a pattern that potentially resulted from multiple anthropogenic introductions. Our results are consistent with natural gene flow among populations of P. americanus, and rapid anthropogenic expansion of P. australis populations.

1 - University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Department of Biological Sciences, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI, 53190, United States
2 - University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Department Of Biological Sciences, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI, 53190, United States

Keywords:
Phragmites
invasive plants
wetland ecology
population genetics
microsatellites.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Population Genetics/Genomics
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPG008
Abstract ID:689
Candidate for Awards:None