Spatial Genetic Structure of the Abundant and Widespread Peatmoss Sphagnum magellanicum Brid.

ABSTRACT: Spore-producing organisms have small dispersal units enabling them to become widespread across continents. However, barriers to gene flow and cryptic speciation may exist. The common, haploid peatmoss Sphagnum magellanicum occurs in both the Northern and Southern hemisphere, and is commonly used as a model in studies of peatland ecology and peatmoss physiology. Even though it will likely act as a rich source in functional genomics studies in years to come, surprisingly little is known about levels of genetic variability and structuring in this species. Here, we assess for the first time how genetic variation in S. magellanicum is spatially structured across its full distribution range (Northern Hemisphere and South America). The morphologically similar species S. alaskense was included for

SUBMITTER: Kyrkjeeide MO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4747574 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature