Genetic diversity in Pueraria lobata (Fabaceae), an introduced, clonal invasive plant in the southeastern United States

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-2000

Abstract

Pueraria lobata (kudzu), a clonal, leguminous vine, is invading the southeastern United States at a rate of 50 000 ha per year. Genetic variability and clonal diversity were measured in 20 southeastern U.S. populations using 14 allozyme loci. Within its U.S. range, 92.9% of the loci were polymorphic and overall genetic diversity was 0.290. Such high levels of genetic diversity are consistent with its history of multiple introductions over an extended period of time. The average proportions of polymorphic loci and genetic diversity within populations were 55.7% (range = 28.6–85.7%) and 0.213 (range = 0.114–0.317), respectively. The proportion of total genetic diversity found among populations was similar to species with equivalent life history characters (GST = 0.199). No regional patterns of variation were seen. The number of putative genotypes in each population ranged from 2 to 26. Mean genotypic diversity was 0.694, ranging from 0.223 to 0.955. Such high levels of genotypic diversity indicate that local sites are often colonized by several propagules (most likely seeds) and/or that sexual reproduction occurs within populations after establishment. An excess of heterozygosity was observed in populations with few unique genets, implying that selection for highly heterozygous individuals may occur in populations of P. lobata.

Keywords

allozymes, clonal, Fabaceae, genetic diversity, invasive, kudzu, Pueraria lobata, vine

Discipline

Life Sciences

Publication

American Journal of Botany

Volume

87

Issue

9

First Page

1240

Last Page

1245

ISSN

0002-9122

Publisher

Botanical Society of America: AJB

Additional URL

http://www.amjbot.org/content/87/9/1240.full

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