Native Plants Journal - Article

Phylogeography of North American mountain biomes

Abstract:

Although native grasses are often desired and used for revegetation
of disturbed areas, genetic differences may exist
within and among natural and cultivated germplasm sources.
This phylogeographic study compares geographic origin and
genealogical linkages of 25 natural and cultivated germplasm
sources of mountain brome (Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn.
[Poaceae]) from western North America. Significant variation
among accessions (FST = 0.70) was detected by analysis of
molecular variance (AMOVA), based on the number of amplified
fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) between individual
plants. Likewise, significant differences among 4
hierarchical genotypic groups, encompassing all but 5 unique
accessions, were also detected (FCT = 0.47).This study identified
at least one well-defined genealogical lineage, comprising 8
accessions, distributed over a broad geographic region and different
ecosystems of western North America.Two other hierarchical
groups, comprising 6 accessions and 3 accessions,were
located within or near specific ecoregions. Results of this study
indicate that natural genealogical lineages of cultivars, such as
Garnet mountain brome, have dispersed and succeeded over
broad geographical regions. However, more research and plant
material work are needed before specific recommendations can
be made over the entire species distribution.

Issue & Pages:

Spring 2005 Pages: 29-35

Article Download:

6-1NPJ29-35.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

• Alicia N Massa
• Steven R Larson

Keywords:

AFLP, genetic diversity, Bromus carinatus