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Abstract Detail


Population Genetics

Paasch , Amber Elizabeth [1], Fisher, Kirsten [2].

Development of microsatellite markers to enable population assessment of skewed sex ratios and genetic diversity in Mojave Desert Syntrichia caninervis.

Syntrichia caninervis is a dioecious desert bryophyte that reduces production of sexual organs under extreme conditions. When sex is expressed, the ratio between males and females is skewed, with males being extremely rare. In the Mojave Desert, these sex ratios differ between elevations, with the highest elevation having a ratio of 14 females to 1 male. No males were identified at the lower elevation. These ratios may be due to inhibition of male gametangial development caused by sensitivity to environmental conditions. Populations may be sustained by clonal growth. We have identified a population of S. caninervis growing at 1800 m elevation that contains individuals with sporophytes, indicating sexual reproduction. Sporophytes have not been observed in nearby populations at the lower elevation limit for S.caninervis. The development of microsatellite markers will allow us to assess genetic diversity for individual mosses and between populations at different elevations. Currently, no microsatellite markers have been identified for S. caninervis. Here we report our results on the variability and reproducibility of 12 microsatellite regions in three S. caninervis individuals. These microsatellite markers will provide a valuable tool for assessing genetic diversity in a species widely used as a model for moss reproductive biology.

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1 - California State University, Los Angeles, Department of Biological Sciences, 5151 State University Dr., La Kretz 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
2 - California State University Los Angeles, Department of Biological Sciences, 5151 State University Drive, 350 La Kretz Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPG002
Abstract ID:748


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