Allozyme and microsatellite data reveal small clone size and high genetic diversity in aspen in the southern Cascade Mountains

The most widely distributed tree in North America, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides, Michx.), reproduces sexually via seed and clonally via suckers. The size of aspen clones varies geographically, generally smaller in the east and large in the arid Intermountain West. In order to describe clone si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Forest ecology and management Vol. 258; no. 5; pp. 687 - 696
Main Authors:	De Woody, Jennifer, Rickman, Tom H., Jones, Bobette E., Hipkins, Valerie D.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Kidlington Elsevier B.V 20-08-2009 [Amsterdam]: Elsevier Science Elsevier
Subjects:	alleles Americas Animal and plant ecology Animal, plant and microbial ecology Biological and medical sciences Cascades clones forest trees Forestry Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology gene flow gene frequency Genet genetic markers genetic variation Genetics geographical variation Isozymes loci microsatellite repeats Microsatellites Mountains population genetics Populus Populus tremuloides Reproduction Somatic mutation SSR Stands Stems Supports Synecology Terrestrial ecosystems Lassen National Forest Cascade Mountain region United States North America America USA, Cascade Mts USA, Utah, Intermountain West Somatic mutation SSR Isozymes Populus Genet Isozyme Physical environment Allozyme Biodiversity Cascade Range Mountain Dicotyledones Angiospermae Tree Clone Microsatellite Vegetals Small dimension Enzyme Biochemical compound Forest ecology Genetic diversity Data Woody plant Salicaceae Forestry Spermatophyta Mutation
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Summary:	The most widely distributed tree in North America, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides, Michx.), reproduces sexually via seed and clonally via suckers. The size of aspen clones varies geographically, generally smaller in the east and large in the arid Intermountain West. In order to describe clone size and genetic structure of aspen in the southern Cascade Mountains, 864 stems from six sites were assayed at 15 isozyme and 6 microsatellite loci. Although isozymes reveal significantly lower levels of allelic richness (P<0.001) and expected heterozygosity (P<0.01), differences in genet diversity (isozyme G/N=0.45, microsatellite G/N=0.47) and allele frequency variation (isozyme FST=0.02, microsatellite FST=0.03) were nonsignificant. While a majority of stands were monoclonal, such stands were small, and the number of clones per stand was positively correlated with stand size (P<0.0001). High genetic diversity, low genetic differentiation, and a rapid decay of spatial genetic structure consistent with long distance gene flow during seedling recruitment indicate that sexual reproduction is a significant factor contributing to the genetic structure of these populations. These findings further resolve the geographic variation in clonal structure observed in aspen across North America, providing novel information for land management and conservation efforts.
Bibliography:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.05.006 http://hdl.handle.net/10113/31923 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:	0378-1127 1872-7042
DOI:	10.1016/j.foreco.2009.05.006