Abstract Detail

Population Genetics

Barriball, Kelly [1], McNutt, Erin [1], Rocha, Oscar [1].

Examination of the genetic structure of southwestern Ohio populations of Lonicera maackii to determine invasion patterns.

Lonicera maackii (Rupr. (Herder), Caprifoliaceae) is an invasive honeysuckle shrub that is native to Asia, introduced to the U.S. in 1898 with multiple separate introductions since its initial introduction. Lonicera maackii is currently the dominant understory shrub in southwest Ohio. In order to understand how L.maackii is expanding its range, it is important to determine whether this species utilizes long-distance dispersal events followed by local expansion or spreads along an expanding front. It has been proposed that L. maackii is expanding its range through multiple independent dispersal events. To test this hypothesis, we sampled L. maackii from 36 woodlots within Hamilton, Franklin, Butler, Preble, Darke and Miami counties in Ohio, and Wayne County in Indiana. Darke County is the most recent site in Ohio experiencing a rapid colonization, and the majority of the populations we examined are within this center of colonization. Geographic distance between all sample populations ranges from 2.0 km to 104 km. Genetic analysis was conducted using five polymorphic microsatellite loci that were especially designed for this study. A total of 77 alleles were found across all loci, and average mean N_a was 8.37 with a lower mean N_e of 4.97. Average observed heterozygosity was 0.725 and average expected heterozygosity was higher at 0.764. The values for N_a and H_o suggest high levels of genetic diversity, with low levels of inbreeding (F_IS = 0.05). An AMOVA showed that 90% of the observed variation is found within populations,indicating relatively low levels of genetic differentiation. Our data revealed a significant correlation between geographical and genetic distances among populations (Mantel correlation r = 0.65, p-value 0.05) suggesting that established populations serve as seed sources for the colonization of nearby uncolonized woodlots. Further analysis using the program Structure revealed a significant level of admixture within individuals and within woodlots, suggesting that long-distance seed dispersal also plays a key role in the spread of this species.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Kent State University, Biological Sciences, 256 Cunningham Hall, Kent State University, Kent , OH, 44242, USA

Keywords:
Lonicera maackii
invasive plant.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 26
Location: Portland Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 26002
Abstract ID:194