Genotypic richness predicts phenotypic variation in an endangered clonal plant.

ABSTRACT: Declines in genetic diversity within a species can affect the stability and functioning of populations. The conservation of genetic diversity is thus a priority, especially for threatened or endangered species. The importance of genetic variation, however, is dependent on the degree to which it translates into phenotypic variation for traits that affect individual performance and ecological processes. This is especially important for predominantly clonal species, as no single clone is likely to maximise all aspects of performance. Here we show that intraspecific genotypic diversity as measured using microsatellites is a strong predictor of phenotypic variation in morphological traits and shoot productivity of the threatened, predominantly clonal seagrass Posidonia australis, on the east co

SUBMITTER: Evans SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4768672 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature