17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Analysis of the Spatial Genetic Structure of Passiflora incarnata Populations in Recently Disturbed Locations
Rebecca T. Tague
Dr. Stephanie Fore, Faculty Mentor
Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) is an early successional vine species found throughout southeastern United States known to reproduce sexually and asexually through clonal sprouts. The objectives of this study were to determine the clonal and genetic structure of P. incarnata in populations on the Savannah River Site, Aiken County, South Carolina. Four recently disturbed patches of P. incarnata were identified and ten focal plants were arbitrarily selected in each patch. The location of those ten plants and their four nearest neighbors were mapped and leaf samples collected for genetic analysis. The multilocus genotype for seven polymorphic allozymes was determined for each individual. The data were analyzed to estimate clonal diversity by calculating the probability of unique genotypes encounters. FijAnal software was used to assess spatial genetic relationships. In three patches, the data indicated this species was reproducing primarily sexually. Within all patches, no pattern of spatial relatedness was evident.
Keywords: allozymes, passionflower, spatial, genetic structure, clonal, FijAnal
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-41
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15