Expansion of genetic diversity in randomly mating founder populations of Alternaria brassicicola infecting Cakile maritima in Australia.

ABSTRACT: Founder populations of fungal plant pathogens are expected to have low levels of genetic diversity coupled with further genetic drift due to, e.g., limited host availability, which should result in additional population bottlenecks. This study used microsatellite markers in the interaction between Cakile maritima and the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicicola to explore genetic expectations associated with such situations. The host, C. maritima, was introduced into Australia approximately 100 years ago, but it is unknown whether the pathogen was already present in Australia, as it has a wide occurrence, or whether it was introduced to Australia on brassicaceous hosts. Eleven A. brassicicola populations were studied, and all showed moderate levels of gene and genotypic diversity. Chi-squar

SUBMITTER: Linde CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2837991 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature