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Unable to connect to database - 07:45:48 Unable to connect to database - 07:45:48 SQL Statement is null or not a SELECT - 07:45:48

Abstract Detail


Pteridological Section/AFS

Chau, Marian M. [1], Ranker, Tom A. [1].

Restoration genetics of the endangered fern Marsilea villosa: Variation among populations on two Hawaiian islands.

Marsilea villosa, or ‘ihi‘ihi, is an endemic Hawaiian fern occurring in ephemerally flooding dryland habitats and currently found in only seven populations on two islands. Among its unique traits are long-lived sporocarps (i.e., highly modified leaves containing sporangia and spores), a requirement of flood and drought to complete its sexual life cycle, and extended vegetative growth in the absence of flood. Although it is a federally listed endangered species, due primarily to habitat degradation, it is a hardy plant with excellent restoration potential. Since nothing is known of the population genetics of M. villosa, my research aims to quantify genetic variation among all populations across the species’ range. This study employs Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) analysis, which is a molecular technique that assesses variation in DNA fragment length. Preliminary results show at least moderate levels of interpopulational and interisland genetic variation. High levels of differentiation might indicate restricted gene flow between populations, and are also often associated with high levels of clonal growth and/or inbreeding. Implications for the restoration of M. villosa will be discussed.


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1 - University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany, 3190 Maile Way, Room 101, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

Keywords:
Marsilea villosa
Genetic variation
ISSR
endangered
Fern
restoration.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for BSA Sections
Session: 1
Location: Alpine B/Snowbird Center
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 1003
Abstract ID:495