Genetic Diversity of Stratiotes aloides L. (Hydrocharitaceae) Stands across Europe

Intense land use and river regulations have led to the destruction of wetland habitats in the past 150 years. One plant that is affected by the reduction in appropriate habitats is the macrophyte which has become rare in several areas. The preservation of genetic diversity within a species is a prer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plants (Basel) 2021-04, Vol.10 (5), p.863
Main Authors: Turner, Barbara, Hameister, Steffen, Hudler, Andreas, Bernhardt, Karl-Georg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AFLP
Amplified fragment length polymorphism
Aquatic habitats
Aquatic plants
Biodiversity
Birds
conservation
Datasets
Endangered & extinct species
Environmental changes
Environmental conditions
Floods
Genetic diversity
Habitat loss
Land use
Populations
Power plants
River regulations
River systems
Rivers
Species diversity
Stratiotes aloides
wetland habitats
Wetlands
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Summary:Intense land use and river regulations have led to the destruction of wetland habitats in the past 150 years. One plant that is affected by the reduction in appropriate habitats is the macrophyte which has become rare in several areas. The preservation of genetic diversity within a species is a prerequisite for survival under changing environmental conditions. To evaluate the level of genetic diversity within and among populations of , we investigated samples from waterbodies across Europe using AFLP. Low genetic diversity among samples from the same population was found, proving that stands consist of few clones which propagate clonally. Nevertheless, most populations showed differences compared to other populations indicating that there is genetic diversity within the species. The analyzed samples formed two groups in STRUCTURE analyses. The two groups can be further subdivided and mainly follow the major river systems. For conserving the genetic diversity of , it would thus be preferable to focus on conserving individuals from many different populations rather than conserving selected populations with a higher number of individuals per population. For reintroductions, samples from the same river system could serve as founder individuals.
ISSN:2223-7747
2223-7747
DOI:10.3390/plants10050863