Abstract
We studied genetic diversity within and among populations of warty cabbage (Bunias orientalis L.), which is an alien species in Lithuania and other Baltic countries. In Lithuania, this weed colonises two main types of habitats: railway/roadsides and meadows on riversides. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic structure of invasive populations of B. orientalis in Lithuania and consider the impact of diverse habitats on the partitioning of genetic diversity using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) carried out on the basis of ISSR showed that there is high genetic differentiation (46%) among populations of B. orientalis, which is probably caused by the founder effect and limited gene flow. However, we observed no impact of habitat on the genetic difference among populations. Similar levels of ISSR polymorphic loci were observed in riverside (P = 31.67%) and railway/roadsides (P = 30.51%) populations. UPGMA cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) also did not show grouping of studied populations according to habitat type. High genetic differentiation among populations, as indicated by ISSR markers, confirm multiple independent introductions of this species in Lithuania.
Highlights
Biological invasion is a multistage process influenced by many factors (Sakai et al, 2001)
inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism at species level The genetic variability study of B. orientalis was based on an analysis of 309 individuals from 19 populations located in two main habitat types
In spite of moderate genetic diversity, 299 genotypes were identified among all studied plants
Summary
Biological invasion is a multistage process influenced by many factors (Sakai et al, 2001). Intra-specific genetic variation may contribute significantly to the invasiveness of an alien species (Wang et al, 2012; Ward et al, 2008). The founding events usually establish only a fraction of the genetic variance that occurs in the source population(s) (Dlugosch and Parker, 2008; Nei et al, 1975). In spite of frequent loss of genetic diversity, populations of some invaders may evolve rapidly (Andrew et al, 2012; Dlugosch and Parker, 2008; Ellstrand and Schirenbeck 2000) and adapt to local conditions (Riis et al, 2010). B. orientalis is invasive agricultural weed in Central Europe and expands to other parts of the continent (Dietz et al, 1999; Mirek and Piękoš-Mirkowa, 1996).
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