Abstract
Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to investigate the clonal and spatial genetic structure of Maianthemum dilatatum (A. Wood) Nels. & J.F. Macbr. (Convallariaceae), a clonal rhizomatous herb, which can form large patches of continuous cover. Within a subpopulation covering approximately 3 ha, all patches (n = 21) were mapped and sampled. Within these patches, 116 ramets were sampled and assigned to 74 putative genets. Small patches appeared to be single genets while larger patches were genetically heterogeneous and only moderately differentiated (ΦST= 0.291, p = 0.001). Less intense sampling in other populations produced similar results in that single genet populations were not found. Evidence of genet natality was present with the detection of five yearlings within a single season. Spatial autocorrelation measures detected spatial genetic structure attributable to both clonal growth and gene flow processes. It was concluded that within M. dilatatum populations, clonality is a significant factor, but the spatial structuring of genetic variation suggests that both low levels of restricted gene flow and repeated recruitment of genets occur.
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