Genetic structure and mating system of northern Arbutus menziesii (Ericaceae) populations

• Published in: Botany Vol. 83; no. 12; pp. 1581 - 1589
• Main Authors: Beland, J.D, Krakowski, J, Ritland, C.E, Ritland, K, El-Kassaby, Y.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press 01.12.2005
• Subjects: amplified fragment length polymorphism; amplified fragment length polymorphisms; Arbutus; Arbutus menziesii; Climate change; Deoxyribonucleic acid; diversité génétique; DNA; Drought; Encroachment; Endangered plants; endangered species; Environmental changes; Environmental conditions; environmental protection; Ericaceae; Evergreen trees; Flowers & plants; forest trees; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; genetic variation; genotype; geographical variation; Inbreeding; Introduced species; Invasive species; kinship; parentalité; Plant communities; plant genetic resources; Plant populations; Plant reproduction; polymorphismes des fragments d'ADN amplifiés; population genetics; Population growth; population structure; structure des populations; Studies; temperate forests; Trees; British Columbia; Canada, British Columbia; Canada; USA, Washington
• ISSN: 0008-4026; 1916-2790; 1480-3305; 1916-2804
• DOI: 10.1139/b05-124

Arbutus ( Arbutus menziesii Pursh. (Ericaceae)) is the only broadleaved evergreen tree native to Canada. It occurs in three red-listed (endangered) plant communities in British Columbia (BC), threatened by urban encroachment, fire suppression, grazing, and exotic invasive species. Its growth is sensitive to environmental changes: more severe summer drought caused by climate change could further threaten this species. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were assayed in 10 populations in BC and 1 in Washington to obtain baseline population genetic and mating system data. We found that genetic diversity within populations was low (mean H = 0.094) for a woody perennial. Genetic variation among populations (F ST = 0.15) was comparable to woody perennials on average (0.19). Pairwise kinship coefficients were significantly associated with distance (p < 0.01). The multilocus outcrossing rate for one BC island population was high (t m = 0.97), but inbreeding due to consanguineous matings was also quite high (t m - t s = 0.10). These data can be used to guide conservation strategies and future research priorities for arbutus.