Abstract
The pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea L.), a native North American species, presently grows on six sites in Ireland, these being the result of transplants (founder events) from an initial introduction to Termonbarry Bog in 1906. The extent and organisation of genetic variability among these populations was examined in this study.
Of 25 enzyme systems investigated by starch gel electrophoresis, 14 showed specific activity. Eighteen loci suitable for routine population screening were identified. Diallelic polymorphisms were observed at three loci, Pgm, 6Pg, and Mdh-4. Genetic polymorphism at the Pgm locus has not previously been described.
The overall level of genetic variation (max P=17 per cent; max H̄exp=0·060) in Irish populations was low, but nevertheless within the range recorded for native North American populations. While it was evident that the severe founder events (2–4 individuals) had reduced the number of polymorphic loci there was lesser impact on heterozygosity levels. Significant genetic differentiation among populations was found at all three polymorphic loci.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Chakraborty, R, and Nei, M. 1977. Bottleneck effects on average heterozygosity and genetic distance with stepwise mutation models. Evolution, 31, 347–356.
Clayton, J W, and Tretiak, D N. 1972. Amine-Citrate Buffers For Ph Control in Starch Gel Electrophoresis. J Fish Res Bd Can, 29, 1169–1172.
Ferguson, A. 1980. Biochemical Systematics and Evolution. Blackie, Glasgow.
Foss, P J, and Oconnell, C. 1984. Further observations on Sanacenia purpurea L. in county Kildare (H19). Ir Nat J, 21, 264–266.
Foss, P J, and O'Connell, C A. 1985. Notes on the ecology of Sanacenia purpurea L. on Irish peatlands. Ir Nat J, 21, 440–443.
Gottlieb, L. 1981. Electrophoretic evidence and plant populations In Reinhold, L., Harborne, J. and Swain, T. (eds) Progress in Phytochemistry, Vol. 7, Pergamon, Oxford, pp. 2–46.
Harris, H, and Hopkinson, D. 1976. Handbook of Enzyme Electrophoresis in Human Genetics. NorthHolland, Amsterdam.
Hill, W G. 1974. Estimation of linkage disequilibrium in randomly mating populations. Heredity, 33, 229–239.
Kertland, M P H. 1968. Sanacenia purpurea as an introduced plant in Ireland. Ir Nat J, 16, 50–51.
Loomis, W D. 1974. Overcoming Problems of Phenolics and Quinones in the Isolation of Plant Enzymes and Organelles. In Fleisher, S. and Packer, T. L. (EDS) Methods in Enzymology, VOL. 31, Academic Press, London, pp. 528–544.
Nei, M. 1972. Genetic distances between populations. Amer Natur, 106, 283–292.
Nei, M, Maruyama, T, and Chakraborty, R. 1975. The bottleneck effect and genetic variability in populations. Evolution, 29, 1–10.
Nelson, E C, and De Vesci, S. 1981. Sanacenia purpurea L. naturalised in county Laois (H14). Ir Nat J, 20, 253.
Newell, E J. 1968. Notes on Sanacenia purpurea. Ir Nat J, 16, 108.
Powell, J R. 1978. The founder-flush speciation theory: an experimental approach. Evolution, 32, 465–474.
Praeger, R L. 1932. Noteworthy plants found in or reported from Ireland. Proc R Ir Acad, 41, 95–124.
Schwaegerle, K E, and Schaal, B. 1979. Genetic Variability and Founder Effect in The Pitcher Plant Sanacenia Purpurea L. Evolution, 33, 1210–1218.
Vallejos, C E. 1983. Enzyme staining activity. In Tanksley, S. D. and Orton, T. J. (eds) Isozymes in Plant Genetics and Breeding, Part A, Academic Press, Oxford, pp. 469–516.
Workman, P L, and Niswander, J. 1970. Population studies on Southwestern Indian tribes. II. Local genetic differentiation in the Papago. Amer J Hum Genet, 22, 24–49.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Taggart, J., McNally, S. & Sharp, P. Genetic variability and differentiation among founder populations of the pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea L.) in Ireland. Heredity 64, 177–183 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1990.22
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1990.22
This article is cited by
-
High genetic diversity and significant population structure in Cedrus brevifolia Henry, a narrow endemic Mediterranean tree from Cyprus
Plant Systematics and Evolution (2011)
-
Factors influencing the genetic structure of Phacelia dubia, a species with a seed bank and large fluctuations in population size
Heredity (1994)
-
Levels of genetic variation captured by four descendant populations of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.)
Biodiversity and Conservation (1994)
-
Genetic consequences of a bottleneck and spatial genetic structure in the triggerplant Stylidium coroniforme (Stylidiaceae)
Heredity (1992)