| Abstract Detail
Population Genetics Waselkov, Katherine [1], Olsen, Kenneth [2], Schaal, Barbara [3]. Phenotypic and genetic differentiation across the range of the Midwestern agricultural weed Amaranthus tuberculatus (Amaranthaceae). The Midwestern plant species Amaranthus tuberculatus occurs from the Great Plains states, east to Ohio and north to southern Ontario. The taxonomic status of this species has been debated historically, with authors prior to 2001 dividing it into a western species with a tendency to invade agricultural fields, and a phenotypically-distinct eastern species which occurs mainly in riparian zones. We have collected material from populations across the range of A. tuberculatus sensu lato in order to test the hypothesis that phenotypic and/or genetic differentiation in different parts of the species' range leads to differential fitness in crop fields. Preliminary results include genetic isolation by distance between the Midwestern and Ontario/Ohio Valley regions, detected using 10 SSR markers. Phenotypic characteristics, including height and utricle dehiscence, also distinguish plants from these same regions in a common greenhouse environment. Future work will evaluate the fitness of plants from across the species' range in agricultural and riparian environments. The results have the potential to shed light on the evolution of "weediness" in the genus Amaranthus. Broader Impacts:
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1 - Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology, One Brookings Dr., Box 1137, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
2 - Washington University in St. Louis, Biology Department, 1 Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1229, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
3 - Washington University, Department of Biology, Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130-4899, USA
Keywords:
Amaranthus tuberculatus
Amaranthaceae
waterhemp
agricultural weed
microsatellite markers.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPG001
Abstract ID:285 |
