Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2003; 5(2): 186-193
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-40729
Original Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Genetic Variation Within and Among Metal-Tolerant and Non-Tolerant Populations of Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd. s.l. (Plumbaginaceae) in Central and Northeast Germany

H. Baumbach 1 , F. H. Hellwig 1
  • 1Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Institut für Spezielle Botanik, Jena, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 July 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Six metal-tolerant populations and sub-populations of Armeria maritima ssp. halleri, ssp. hornburgensis, and ssp. bottendorfensis and two non-tolerant populations of ssp. elongata in Central and Northeast Germany have been analysed using RAPD markers. The populations show very strong genetic differentiation (ΦST = 0.46), corresponding gene flow between them is low (Nem = 0.29). A moderate positive correlation between the matrices of genetic and geographical distances was found between the seven populations and sub-populations of central Germany (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Calculated parameters of genetic variability are molecular variance, percentage of heterozygosity and percentage of polymorphic loci. A significant correlation between population size and parameters of genetic variability was not recognisable. Genetic structure was investigated by an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). The studied populations show strong genetic differentiation. Genetic variation within populations (“normal” as well as metalliferous) is higher (53.9 %) than among them (46.1 %). Six hypotheses of possible genetic relatedness between the studied populations have been tested by AMOVA. A data set structure above the populational level is hardly recognisable. It was impossible to combine the populations to edaphic (tolerant and “non-tolerant”) or taxonomic groups. A. maritima ssp. halleri of the north Harz mountains and ssp. hornburgensis are clearly separated from a geographical group containing all other populations (across taxonomic and edaphic boundaries). These results are a further indication for a polyphyletic origin of metal-tolerant populations of A. maritima s.l. by multiple colonizations of metalliferous sites from neighbouring populations on non-metalliferous soil.

References

H. Baumbach

Institut für Spezielle Botanik Friedrich-Schiller-Universität

Philosophenweg 16

07743 Jena

Germany

Email: baumbach@otto.biologie.uni-jena.de

Section Editor: F. Salamini