Detection of Genetic Variation in Wild Populations of Three Allium Species Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms

Abstract

Three wild onion species native to the intermountain west in the United States—Allium acuminatum, A. brandegei, and A. passeyi—show horticultural potential, but little is known about patterns of genetic diversity among localized populations and geographical regions. We examined amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) within and among five Allium acuminatum, four A. brandegei, and three A. passeyi collection sites in Utah. These three congeners with contrasting abundance and distribution patterns provide an opportunity to investigate the role of geographic distance, altitude, and rarity in patterns of genetic divergence. The collection sites were selected along an altitudinal gradient to reflect ecogeographic variation. Individual plants from each of the 12 sites were genotyped using six AFLP primer combinations detecting DNA variation within and among all three species. Genetic differences between species were high enough to render comparisons among species impractical, so each species was analyzed separately for differences between populations and variability within populations. Similarity coefficients were significantly greater within collection sites versus among collection sites indicating divergence between populations. Within-population genetic diversity was not correlated with elevation for any of the three species. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 66% (A. acuminatum), 83% (A. passeyi), and 64% (A. brandegei) of observed variation is found within populations. Genetic divergence among populations (ФST) was higher in the widely distributed species, suggesting that interpopulation gene flow may be negatively correlated with range size. Allium acuminatum and A. brandegei individuals cluster into groups corresponding strictly to collection sites based on neighbor-joining analysis of the total number of DNA polymorphisms between individual plants. Allium passeyi populations, however, had less overall genetic variation between populations. Genetic isolation by distance appeared responsible for much of the variability among populations, although there was one notable exception showing significant differences between two geographically close populations in A. acuminatum.