Uncovering Cryptic Diversity in the Invasive Aquatic Plant Species, Eurasian Watermilfoil, using DNA Fingerprinting

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Cell and Molecular Biology

Mentor Information

Ryan Thum, thumr@gvsu.edu

Department

Annis Water Resource Institute (AWRI)

Location

Henry Hall Atrium 73

Start Date

13-4-2011 1:00 PM

End Date

13-4-2011 2:00 PM

Keywords

Environment, Life Science, Physical Science, Technology

Abstract

Natural resource managers have noted wide variation in the invasiveness of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM, Myriophyllum spicatum) in different water bodies. Because EWM primarily reproduces asexually, many lake managers believe that genetic variation among populations is lacking and that variation in invasiveness results from environmental differences among lakes. Here, we use a DNA fingerprinting method (AFLPs) to test whether populations exhibiting different levels of invasiveness in Ontario, Canada exhibit genetic variation. We uncover at least four genetically distinct biotypes of EWM in our study lakes: two distinct forms of EWM and two distinct hybrid genotypes (EWM x native northern watermilfoil, M. spicatum x M. sibiricum). These results demonstrate that genetic variation - alone, or in combination with environmental variation - may underlie variation in invasiveness. Ongoing studies combine genetic and ecological information to further test this hypothesis.

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Apr 13th, 1:00 PM Apr 13th, 2:00 PM

Uncovering Cryptic Diversity in the Invasive Aquatic Plant Species, Eurasian Watermilfoil, using DNA Fingerprinting

Henry Hall Atrium 73

Natural resource managers have noted wide variation in the invasiveness of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM, Myriophyllum spicatum) in different water bodies. Because EWM primarily reproduces asexually, many lake managers believe that genetic variation among populations is lacking and that variation in invasiveness results from environmental differences among lakes. Here, we use a DNA fingerprinting method (AFLPs) to test whether populations exhibiting different levels of invasiveness in Ontario, Canada exhibit genetic variation. We uncover at least four genetically distinct biotypes of EWM in our study lakes: two distinct forms of EWM and two distinct hybrid genotypes (EWM x native northern watermilfoil, M. spicatum x M. sibiricum). These results demonstrate that genetic variation - alone, or in combination with environmental variation - may underlie variation in invasiveness. Ongoing studies combine genetic and ecological information to further test this hypothesis.