Population Structure and Genetic Diversity Within the Endangered Species Pityopsis ruthii (Asteraceae).

ABSTRACT: Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth's golden aster) is a federally endangered herbaceous perennial endemic to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers in southeastern Tennessee, United States. Comprehensive genetic studies providing novel information to conservationists for preservation of the species are lacking. Genetic variation and gene flow were evaluated for 814 individuals from 33 discrete locations using polymorphic microsatellites: seven chloroplast and twelve nuclear. A total of 198 alleles were detected with the nuclear loci and 79 alleles with the chloroplast loci. Gene flow was estimated, with the Hiwassee River (N_m = 2.16; F_ST = 0.15) showing higher levels of gene flow and lower levels of population differentiation than the Ocoee River (N_m

SUBMITTER: Hatmaker EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6050971 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature