Benjamin Brulotte and Dr. Mikel Stevens, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Amplified fragment length polymorphisms are a reliable, straightforward method of determining the genetic diversity of species. Frequently this method of determining genetic diversity has been used in conservation efforts because of its cost effectiveness, and efficiency. We set out to characterize the genetic diversity of three native species of wildflower common in the Intermountain West, and frequently used in Forest Service revegetation projects.
The data set for the species Geranium richardsonii is complete and has been put into a very sizeable excel spreasheet. I have identified and scored 195 polymorphic bands across 384 individual plant samples. At this point the data is being submitted for statistical analysis, which will perform an index of similarity, principal component analysis, and will create a phylogenetic tree to show how variations in and among populations is related to geographic location.
Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed) is close behind, with just a few gels remaining that have historically given me trouble. I have much evidence that has demonstrated that the quality of the DNA in these plates is inferior to other samples that have worked well in the past. Regardless, most of the data has been compiled. Interestingly, the results for this species show that unlike Geranium richardsonii and Castilleja miniata, which showed marked differences between populations, fireweed shows a high level of genetic similarity. This is likely due in part to vegetative regeneration, the plant’s preferred method of reproduction. In addition, studies have shown that the dispersal range of fireweed seed is surprisingly vast, especially in the event of a forest fire, where they can travel up to 190 miles from their origin.
The capacity of fireweed seeds to travel and the frequency of forest fires in this area has likely discouraged genetic isolation and the formation of unique localized genotypes. As could be suspected however, species with much more limited methods of seed dispersal such as Castilleja miniata and Geranium richardsonii have demonstrated signs of genetic isolation between populations.
The progress has been slow, and quite frustrating at times as I have tried new approaches, refined protocols, and perfected my technical abilities. However, after hours in the lab performing reactions, I have succeeded in obtaining most of the data for the three species I was analyzing. Initially, before I was intimately familiar with the LiCor machine and the AFLP protocol, I expected to have the entire project wrapped up a year ago. Unfortunately this wasn’t possible, but the progress that has been made and the experience I have gained have been priceless to my education. Not only did I gain valuable tools that I will be able to implement in my future career, but I have also learned a lot about myself. I have learned that above all else, what I want in my future career is to have as many opportunities as I can to discover things that no one else knows yet. As I have now graduated, I have passed the project on to another student who will finish what I have started, and will likely publish these results soon.
References
- Broderick DH (1990) The biology of Canadian weeds. 93. Epilobium angustifolium L. (Onagraceae) Canadian Journal of Plant Science 70:247-259
- Solbreck C, Andersson D, (1987) Vertical distrobution of fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium, seeds in the air. Canadian Journal of Botany 65:2177-2178