Genetic relatonships, morphological divergence and ecological correlates in three species of the Viola canadensis complex in western North America
McCreary CS. 2005. Genetic relatonships, morphological divergence and ecological correlates in three species of the Viola canadensis complex in western North America. Ohio State University
From the Abstract: "Viola flettii, Viola cuneata and Viola ocellata are sister species within the Viola canadensis complex (Violaceae). All are endemics of western North America, growing in widely divergent ecological environments. During the summers of 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002, leaf material for DNA extraction was collected from 26 populations of the three species, including much of their range. Analysis of V. flettii DNA using intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers showed a great deal of diversity with percent polymorphic loci (P) of 65% and a disjunction between northern and southern populations. Statistical analysis of collected ecological data from V. flettii indicated a microhabitat effect of great elevation and more southernly aspect leading to lowered genetic diversity and population size respectively. ... Contrary to the evidence suggesting hybridization and interspecific gen flow, ecoloigcal, environmental, leaf morphology and leaf angle data all show the three Viola species to be strongly distinct, supporting the idea that the three species are morphologically and ecologically well differentiated."
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- McCreary, Cheryl
- Date of Issue
- 2005-11
- Publisher
- Ohio State University
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Conservation, Dissertation, DNA analysis, Ecology, Endemic, Speciation, Viola canadensis complex (Violaceae)