Event Title
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.
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.