Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Panicum--Iowa--Genetics; Coreopsis--Iowa--Genetics; Prairie conservation--Iowa; Genetic polymorphisms;
Abstract
The degree of genetic diversity within any species is crucial to its survival with respect to environmental stresses and its ability to adapt. As native Iowa prairie plant populations continues to diminish, genetic diversity within the state becomes crucially important for restoration, reconstruction, and conservation efforts. This study seeks to determine the degree of genetic variation within native Iowa populations of Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) and Coreopsis palmata (prairie coreopsis, tickseed, prairie tickseed). Plants were obtained directly from the tallgrass prairie, from native seed plantings, and from greenhouse grown cultivated varieties (switchgrass). Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP) provided genetic fingerprints of each individual plant, which allowed for each species to be compared and analyzed. Genetic variation within switchgrass populations was found to be high, with most genetic variations occurring among populations. Genetic variation within prairie coreopsis was found to be average with most genetic variations occurring within populations. The genetic structures and characteristics shown in this study may provide insight for future prairie plantings and restoration efforts to maintain and increase genetic diversity within remnant prairie populations.
Year of Submission
2002
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Biology
Department
Tallgrass Prairie Center
First Advisor
James E. Jurgenson, Chair
Date Original
2002
Object Description
1 PDF file (xi, 122 pages)
Copyright
©2002 Christopher Andrew Hilker
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Hilker, Christopher Andrew, "The use of AFLP to detect genetic differentiation within and among populations of two prairie plant species: Panicum virgatum and Coreopsis palmata" (2002). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 193.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/193
