| Abstract Detail
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Uffenbeck, Michael [1], Larson, Katherine [1], Noyes, Richard [2]. Seedling establishment versus clonal spread in the exotic, Lonicera japonica. Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a persistent invader in natural areas capable of negatively impacting native species. Previous studies in Arkansas have found low seed levels and pollination rates. These traits suggest vegetative growth may be the pathway Japanese Honeysuckles uses to spread into natural areas. We sought to reconstruct and quantify the colonization pathway of Japanese Honeysuckle within a natural area. Amplified Length Polymphorism (AFLP) was used to identify genotypes in a riparian area and an upland site at Woolly Hollow State Park Greenbrier, Arkansas. Clones were assigned based upon Jaccard's similarity values where the clone threshold was based upon replicated samples. We found a high level of genetic diversity within our study population where the overall average Jaccard similarity was 0.6805 and the Simpson's clonal diversity index was 0.9369 in the upland site and 0.9206 in the lowland site. The G/N ratio was similar in both upland and riparian habitats where it was 0.4444 in the upland site and 0.5278 in the riparian site. The average clonal unit length along the transects was 7.1 meters. In addition,we measured the rate of spread of three genotypes and found one genotype was no more invasive than the native Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens. Although seed set is rare in Japanese Honeysuckle these results indicate sexual reproduction is still the most important colonization pathway within riparian and upland habitats. Broader Impacts:
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1 - University of Central Arkansas, Biology, Department of Biology , Lewis Science Center 180, Conway, Arkansas, 72035, USA 2 - University Of Central Arkansas, Department Of Biology, Lewis Science Center 180, CONWAY, AR, 72035, USA
Keywords: Lonicera japonica vegetative spread spatial genetic structure clone asexual reproduction sexual reproduction.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics Session: 17 Location: Westminster Room/Chase Park Plaza Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011 Time: 2:15 PM Number: 17004 Abstract ID:238 |