Download PDF
Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2000; 2(6): 628-637
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-16641
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

High Genetic Diversity and Differentiation in Relict Lowland Populations of Gentianella austriaca (A. and J. Kern.) Holub (Gentianaceae)

J. Greimler , Ch. Dobeš
  • Department of Higher Plant Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Botany, University of Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

May 29, 2000

October 6, 2000

Publication Date:
27 August 2001 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The biennial Gentianella austriaca (A. & J. Kern.) Holub, representing a nutrient-poor grassland taxon of low competition power, is becoming rare in the lowlands of eastern Austria due to changes in land use. To estimate effects of isolation and decreasing population sizes, as well as evolutionary relationships, we investigated variation in isozymes and morphological characters within and between seven populations from the mountains, foothills, and lowlands. Additionally, data on reproduction, habitat, germination and population sizes were collected to examine possible causes of variation and differentiation. We found highest genetic diversity (va, vgo) in the lowland and foothill populations, and highest genetic differentiation (Dja, Djgo) (i.e., lowest genetic identity: Nei's I) in the lowland populations. The low diversity of the mountain populations might indicate that they are derived from lowland populations. Surprisingly, highest genetic diversity was found in the smallest population. This indicates that in small remnant populations of taxa with a mixed mating system, genetic diversity might be maintained even after many generations after reducing population size dramatically. We found some relationship between genetic diversity and high fitness (germination success) and (inversely) with seed size. Plant size and reproductive success are negatively correlated with altitude, whereas flower size and seed size seem to be subject to other forces of selection. Combining all morphometric, reproductive and genetic traits, the lowland populations are most strongly differentiated and therefore of highest conservation priority.

Key words

Gentianella austriaca - isozymes - genetic variation - morphometrics - reproduction - conservation

References

  • 01 Baskin,  C. C., and Baskin,  J. M.. (1998) Seeds: Ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. San Diego, California; Academic Press
    Google Scholar
  • 02 Crawford,  D. J.,, Stuessy,  T. F.,, Haines,  D. W.,, Cosner,  M. B.,, Silva,  O. M.,, and Lopez,  P.. (1992);  Allozyme diversity within and divergence among four species of Robinsonia (Asteraceae: Senecioneae), a genus endemic to the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile.  Amer. J. Bot.. 79 962-966
    Google Scholar
  • 03 Cruden,  R. W.. (1977);  Pollen-ovule ratios: a conservative indicator of breeding systems in flowering plants.  Evolution. 31 32-46
    Google Scholar
  • 04 Dolan,  R. W.. (1994);  Patterns of isozyme variation in relation to population size, isolation, and phytogeographic history in royal catchfly (Silene regia, Caryophyllaceae).  Amer. J. Bot.. 81 965-972
    Google Scholar
  • 05 Dostal,  J.. (1989) Nova Kvetena CSSR, ser. vol. 2. Praha; Academia
    Google Scholar
  • 06 Ellstrand,  N. C., and Elam,  D. R.. (1993);  Population genetic consequences of small population size: implications for plant conservation.  Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst.. 24 217-242
    Google Scholar
  • 07 Escaravage,  N.,, Questiau,  S.,, Pornon,  A.,, Doche,  B.,, and Taberlet,  P.. (1998);  Clonal diversity in a Rhododendron ferrugineum L. (Ericaceae) population inferred from AFLP markers.  Molec. Ecol.. 7 975-982
    Google Scholar
  • 08 Fischer,  M., and Matthies,  D.. (1997);  Mating structure and inbreeding and outbreeding depression in the rare plant Gentianella germanica (Gentianaceae).  Amer. J. Bot.. 84 1685-1692
    Google Scholar
  • 09 Fischer,  M., and Matthies,  D.. (1998);  RAPD variation in relation to population size and plant fitness in the rare Gentianella germanica (Gentianaceae).  Amer. J. Bot.. 85 811-819
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Garbutt,  K., and Bazzaz,  F. A.. (1987);  Population niche structure. Differential response of Abutilon theophrasti progeny to resource gradients.  Oecologia (Berlin). 72 291-296
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Gilpin,  M. E., and Soulé,  M. E.. (1986) Minimum viable populations: processes of species extinction. Conservation biology. The science of scarcity and diversity. Soulé, M.E., ed. Sunderland, Massachusets; Sinauer Associates Inc. pp. 19-34
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Gonzales de Leon,  D. R.. (1985) Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis of plant isozymes: an annotated laboratory guide. Reading; University of Reading
    Google Scholar
  • 13 Gregorius,  H.-R.. (1978);  The concept of genetic diversity and its formal relationship to heterozygosity and genetic distance.  Math. Biosci.. 41 253-271
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Gregorius,  H.-R., and Roberds,  J. H.. (1986);  Measurement of genetical differentiation among subpopulations.  Theor. Appl. Genet.. 71 826-834
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Gregorius,  H.-R.. (1987);  The relationship between the concepts of genetic diversity and differentiation.  Theor. Appl. Genet.. 74 397-401
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Greimler,  J.. (1997) Reproductive biology in Gentianella austriaca. Abstracts 10th meeting on plant population biology of the GfÖ (Gesellschaft für Ökologie), 1997, May 8 - 11. University of Zürich p. 15
    Google Scholar
  • 17 Halacsy,  E.. (1896) Flora von Niederösterreich zum Gebrauche auf Excursionen und zum Selbstunterricht. Wien; Tempsky
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Hamrick  J. L.. (1987) Gene flow and distribution of genetic variation in plant populations. Differentiation patterns in higher plants. Urbanska, K. M., ed. London; Academic Press pp. 53-67
    Google Scholar
  • 19 Hamrick  J. L., and Godt  M. J. W.. (1989) Allozyme diversity in plant species. Plant population genetics, breeding and genetic resources. Brown, A. H. D., and Clegg, M. T., eds. Sunderland Massachusetts; Sinauer Ass. Inc. pp. 43-63
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Harper,  J. L.. (1977) Population biology of plants. London; Academic Press
    Google Scholar
  • 21 Haug,  M.. (1987);  Der Böhmische Enzian - Erhaltungskultur als Rettung vor dem Aussterben?.  Öko L.. 9 22-25
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Holub,  J.. (1983);  A brief note on Slovak taxa of Gentianella. .  Preslia. 55 371-373
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Janchen,  E.. (1977) Flora von Wien, Niederösterreich und Nordburgenland, 2 ed. Wien; Verein für Landeskunde von Niederösterreich und Wien
    Google Scholar
  • 24 Kephart,  S. R.. (1990);  Starch gel electrophoresis of plant isozymes: a comparative analysis of techniques.  Amer. J. Bot.. 77 693-712
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Korneck,  D.,, Schnittler,  M.,, and Vollmer,  I.. (1996) Rote Liste der Farn- und Blütenpflanzen (Pteridophyta et Spermatophyta) Deutschlands. Rote Liste gefährdeter Pflanzen Deutschlands. Schriftenreihe für Vegetationskunde. Ludwig, G. and Schnittler, M., eds. Bonn - Bad Godesberg; Bundesamt für Naturschutz pp. 21-187
    Google Scholar
  • 26 Luijten,  S. H.,, Oostermeijer,  J. G. B.,, Ellis-Adam,  A. C.,, and den Nijs,  J. C. M.. (1999);  Variable herkogamy and autofertility in marginal populations of Gentianella germanica in the Netherlands.  Folia Geobot.. 34 483-496
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Menges,  E. S.. (1991) The application of minimum viable population theory to plants. Genetics and conservation of rare plants. Falk, D. A. and Holsinger, K. E., eds. New York, NY; Oxford University Press pp. 45-61
    Google Scholar
  • 28 Nei,  M.. (1972);  Genetic distance between populations.  Amer. Naturalist. 106 (949) 283-292
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Nei,  M.. (1987) Molecular evolutionary genetics. New York; Columbia University Press
    Google Scholar
  • 30 Neilreich,  A.. (1846) Flora von Wien. Eine Aufzählung der in den Umgebungen Wiens wild wachsenden oder im Grossen gebauten Gefässpflanzen, nebst einer pflanzengeografischen Übersicht. Wien; Beck's Universitäts-Buchhandlung
    Google Scholar
  • 31 Neilreich,  A.. (1851) Nachträge zur Flora von Wien nach einem erweiterten Gebiete mit Einbeziehung der benachbarten Alpen und der Leithagegend, nebst einer pflanzengeografischen Übersicht. Wien; Beck's Universitäts-Buchhandlung
    Google Scholar
  • 32 Neuroth,  R.. (1996);  Biosystematik und Evolution des Polypodium vulgare-Komplexes (Polypodiaceae; Pteridophyta).  Diss. Bot.. 256 1-209
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Niklfeld,  H.. (1999) Rote Listen gefährdeter Pflanzen Österreichs. Grüne Reihe des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie (ed.), vol. 10. Wien; Austria Medien service
    Google Scholar
  • 34 Oostermeijer,  J. G. B.,, den Nijs,  J. C. M.,, Raijmann,  L. E. L.,, and Menken,  S B. J.. (1992);  Population biology and management of the marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe L.), a rare species in the Netherlands.  Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 108 117-130
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Pignatti,  S.. (1983) Flora d'Italia, Vol. 2. Bologna; Edagricole
    Google Scholar
  • 36 Poldini,  L.. (1991) Atlante corologico delle piante vascolari nel Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Inventario floristico regionale.  Udine; Direzione regionale delle foreste e dei parchi, Universita degli studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Biologia
    Google Scholar
  • 37 Pritchard,  T., and Tutin  T. G.. (1972) Gentianella Moench. Flora Europaea. Tutin, T. G. and Heywood, V. H., eds. Cambridge; University Press pp. 63-67
    Google Scholar
  • 38 Rosenbauer,  A.. (1996) Gentianaceae. Die Farn- und Blütenpflanzen Baden-Würtembergs. Spezieller Teil (Spermatophyta, Unterklasse Asteridae) Buddlejaceae bis Caprifoliaceae. Sebald, O., Seybold, S., Philippi, G., and Wörz, A., eds. Stuttgart; Eugen Ulmer pp. 16-42
    Google Scholar
  • 39 Schwaegerle,  K. E., and Levin,  D. A.. (1990);  Environmental effects on growth and fruit production in Phlox drumondii. .  Journal of Ecology. 78 15-26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Soó,  R.. (1966) A magyar flora es vegetacio rendszertani növenyföldrajzi kezikönyve, Vol. 2. Budapest; Akademiai Kiado
    Google Scholar
  • 41 Susko,  D. J., and Lovett-Doust,  L.. (2000);  Patterns of seed mass variation and their effects on seedling traits in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae).  Amer. J. Bot.. 87 56-66
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Trpin,  D., and Vreš,  B.. (1995) Register flore Slovenije. Praprotnice in cvetnice. Ljubljana; Znanstvenoraziskovalni center sazu
    Google Scholar
  • 43 Urbanska,  K. M.. (1989);  Reproductive effort or reproductive offer? - A revised approach to reproductive strategies of flowering plants.  Bot. Helv.. 99 49-63
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 van Treuren,  R.,, Bijlsma,  R.,, van Delden,  W.,, and Ouborg,  N. J.. (1991);  The significance of genetic erosion in the process of extinction. I. Genetic differentiation in Salvia pratensis and Scabiosa columbaria in relation to population size.  Heredity. 66 181-189
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Wagner,  J., and Mitterhofer,  E.. (1998);  Phenology, seed development, and reproductive success of an alpine population of Gentianella germanica in climatically varying years.  Bot. Acta. 111 159-166
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Wendel,  J. F., and Weeden,  N. F.. (1989) Visualization and interpretation of plant isozymes. Isozymes in plant biology. Soltis, D. E. and Soltis, P. S., eds. London; Chapman & Hall pp. 5-45
    Google Scholar
  • 47 Wettstein,  R.. (1896) Die europäischen Arten der Gattung Gentiana aus der Sektion Endotricha Froel. und ihr entwicklungsgeschichtlicher Zusammenhang. Wien; Kaiserlich-königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, in Commission bei Karl Gerold's Sohn
    Google Scholar
  • 48 Zopfi,  H. J.. (1991);  Aestival and autumnal vicariads of Gentianella (Gentianaceae).  Pl. Syst. Evol.. 174 139-158
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

J. Greimler

Department of Higher Plant Systematics and Evolution
Institute of Botany
University of Vienna

Rennweg 14
1030 Vienna
Austria

Email: josef.greimler@univie.ac.at

Section Editor: F. Salamini