Abstract
Lilaea scilloides (Juncaginaceae) is an aquatic species inhabiting temporary wetlands. It is an annual herbaceous emergent plant distributed from Canada to Argentina. This species reproduces both sexually and asexually, and is wind-pollinated. Flowers are highly heteromorphic with 5 different types of flowers. We hypothesized that, because of its pollination syndrome, wide distribution and local abundance, the species would have high genetic diversity, low endogamy, low genetic differentiation, and high gene flow. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic diversity and structure of L. scilloides and compare with species with similar ecological and life history traits. We analyzed 40 individuals from 12 populations using isozyme electrophoresis in starch gels. The results showed a low within population genetic diversity (A= 1.77, Ae= 1.15, P= 56.6, Ho= 0.064 and He= 0.103), a high endogamy index (FIS= 0.288), low genetic differentiation among populations (FST= 0.077), and high gene flow (Nm= 4.42). We also found evidence of a high degree of clonal propagation in the species. These results indicate that asexual reproduction is extremely important for the species, as well as the possibility that Lilaea scilloides has hydrophilous pollination, which has not been previously reported.
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