Genetic diversity, gene flow and clonal structure of the Salmon River populations of Macfarlane's four o'clock (Mirabilis macfarlanei)

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Abstract:

Many rare plant species occur in small, isolated populations. This can result in genetic drift and inbreeding which may lead to low genetic diversity. Mirabilis macfarlanei, a rare plant, is restricted to 19 relatively isolated populations along the Snake and Salmon River Canyons. We used enzyme electrophoresis to estimate genetic diversity, levels of gene flow, and clonal structure in eight selected populations of M. macfarlanei on the Salmon River. The analysis indicated that levels of genetic diversity were lower than values found with other plant allozyme data with similar life history traits reviewed in published papers. The measure of genetic differentiation among populations, FST, was 0.263 indicating low gene flow. We found high genetic similarity among populations using genetic distance values. Differentiation among populations was not closely related to the distances among populations. The clonal maps of Cody Draw, McKinzie Creek and Skookumchuck populations suggested diverse clonal growth forms with more widespread clones at Skookumchuck.

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Reference Code: U97BAR01IDUS

Full Citation: Barnes, J. L., P. G. Wolf, and V. J. Tepedino. 1997. Genetic diversity, gene flow and clonal structure of the Salmon River populations of Macfarlane's four o'clock (Mirabilis macfarlanei). Idaho Bureau of Land Management Tech. Bull. No. 97-17. Cooperative Challenge Cost-Share Project, Utah State University and Bureau of Land Management. 62 pp.

Location: PLANT EF: MIRABILIS MACFARLANEI