Meeting Abstract

33-3   08:45 - 09:00  Genetic and morphological comparisons of lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) invasions suggest regionally widespread clonal and sexual reproduction Mattingly, KZ*; Day, CTC; Rauschert, ESJ; Tayal, A; Hovick, SM; Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA; Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Geneva, NY USA; Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH USA; Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA; Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA kzmattingly@gmail.com

Both asexual and sexual reproduction can provide important keys to the success of invasive species. A species with the potential for both strategies is lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), which is separated into five subspecies native to Europe, all of which have been introduced in North America as ornamentals that have escaped cultivation. Although the genetic and morphological diversity of celandine has been studied in Europe, few studies have examined North American populations. We aimed to document genotypic and phenotypic diversity at a regional scale. For genetic analysis, we compared sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) genotypes of 64 individuals collected from Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, OH. For phenotyping, we collected 129 individuals across the same regions, and from Louisville, KY. We replanted samples and measured trait values in an outdoor common garden experiment. The SRAP markers were highly polymorphic and revealed surprising genetic diversity. Genetic and trait variation were structured across regions, but we also saw high variation within regions. Cleveland differed most genetically and morphologically and had notably smaller flowers. Of individuals that flowered, many produced expanded achenes, and all regions had individuals that made asexual bulbils. Trait data suggested subspecies bulbifera or ficariiformis may be present in these regions. Their genetically admixed nature, along with achene production and a potential relationship between genetic diversity and the ability to produce achenes all support sexual reproduction. Sexual and asexual propagules may spread by different vectors, and our resistance analyses indicated water dispersal and habitat availability may contribute to genetic structure.