Abstract
Populations of the outbreeding perennial herb Silene dioica, growing on the islands of an archipelago in the Baltic Sea, are often diseased by the sterilising anther-smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum (synonym Ustilago violaceu). Since diseased host plants are sterilised, island populations with high disease incidences experience large reductions in the number of reproductive individuals. Here, we compared the genetic composition of diseased plants at six allozyme loci with that of the remaining reproductive individuals to determine whether this reduction changes the genetic composition of S. dioica island populations. We found a significant but small difference in genetic composition between diseased and healthy samples using analyses of multiple allelic types. We discuss our results in relation to changes in genetic differentiation among island populations and the impact of disease in the archipelago.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
