Genetic variation facilitates seedling establishment but not population growth rate of a perennial invader.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Assessing the demographic consequences of genetic variation is fundamental to invasion biology. However, genetic and demographic approaches are rarely combined to explore the effects of genetic variation on invasive populations in natural environments. This study combined population genetics, demographic data and a greenhouse experiment to investigate the consequences of genetic variation for the population fitness of the perennial, invasive herb Lupinus polyphyllus.

Methods

Genetic and demographic data were collected from 37 L. polyphyllus populations representing different latitudes in Finland, and genetic variation was characterized based on 13 microsatellite loci. Associations between genetic variation and population size, population density, latitude

SUBMITTER: Li SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4701146 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature