Document: LIS-3-35-5

Genetic variation of Lepidium latifolium, an invasive plant species, across two spatial scales.

PRINTZ, L.* ¹, G.HOELZER ¹ and G.TAYLOR ²

University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 USA ¹
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA ²

Abstract:
Lepidium latifolium, an invasive plant species, across two spatial scales. Introduced from Russia in the early 1900's, Lepidium latifolium L., commonly referred to as perennial pepperweed or tall white top, is an aggressive, perennial species that forms dense, monospecific stands along. The degree of genetic variation within and among L. latifolium stands that grow along the Susan and Truckee Rivers in California and Nevada, respectively was quantified via the RAPD. Twenty stolons were randomly collected from each site and grown in a greenhouse. Fresh leaf tissue was then collected and cleaned. DNA was extracted with the DNeasy Mini Plant Kit (Qiagen) then genotyped with four pre-screened RAPD primers. Estimates of within and between population variation and population subdivision are based on the equations as described by Lynch and Milligan (1994). Within population genetic variation, (Hj(I) = 0.4 and 0.7) for the Truckee and Susan Rivers, respectively. Between population genetic variation for the Susan and Truckee Rivers Hjk = 0.3 and is low but not as compared to other clonal plant species such as geranium, Hjk = 0.4. These results suggest that despite low genetic diversity L. latifolium is able to out compete native species, lowering species diversity and richness thus, altering riparian systems it is found in.

Keywords: RAPDs, inter and intra population, invasive, genetic variation

This abstract is being presented at: 2:45 PM in session:
Oral Session #63: Evolutionary Ecology.