Phenotypic plasticity and genetic diversity in Poa annua L. (Poaceae) at Crozet and Kerguelen Islands (subantarctic)

The widely distributed grass, Poa annua, is one of the most common alien species in the subantarctic islands. The historical events of its introduction remain generally unknown, as well as the evolutionary consequences of its colonisation in these remote environments. Populations from the Crozet arc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar biology 1999, Vol.22 (5), p.302-310
Main Authors: FRENOT, Y, AUBRY, M, MISSET, M. T, GLOAGUEN, J. C, GOURRET, J. P, LEBOUVIER, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archipelagoes
Biological and medical sciences
Evolution
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic diversity
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Genotype & phenotype
Grasses
Introduced species
Islands
Morphology
Natural populations
Nonnative species
Plasticity
Poa annua
Poaceae
Population genetics, reproduction patterns
Pteridophyta, spermatophyta
Vegetals
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The widely distributed grass, Poa annua, is one of the most common alien species in the subantarctic islands. The historical events of its introduction remain generally unknown, as well as the evolutionary consequences of its colonisation in these remote environments. Populations from the Crozet archipelago and Kerguelen Islands were compared in terms of morphology, cytogenetics and enzyme polymorphism. Seeds from natural populations were also sown in an experimental garden in France to test phenotypic plasticity. This preliminary study demonstrated the high phenotypic plasticity in P. annua in the French subantarctic islands. This plasticity and allotetraploidy could be important factors which reinforce the colonising capacities of P. annua. Our results revealed the low genetic diversity of the populations analysed, which could be related to the founding effect or to the fragmentation of the populations.
ISSN:0722-4060
1432-2056
DOI:10.1007/s003000050423