Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

A population genetic study of Pasqueflower: In situ and Ex situ Conservation Genetics of a Vulnerable UK Plant Species

Worswick, Gemma (2016) A population genetic study of Pasqueflower: In situ and Ex situ Conservation Genetics of a Vulnerable UK Plant Species. Master of Science by Research (MScRes) thesis, University of Kent,. (KAR id:55157)

PDF
Language: English
Download this file
(PDF/3MB)
[thumbnail of 153A population genetic study  of pasqueflower_GW_MScThesis_2015.pdf]
Preview

Abstract

The population genetic structure of the vulnerable UK plant species Anemone pulsatilla L. reflects geographic patterns of historical range fragmentation and the influence of population decline and restoration intervention. Positive spatial auto-correlation of natural in situ populations of A. pulsatilla lends support to a scenario for genetic drift (i.e. random drift of allelic frequencies) driving the emergence of population genetic structure as a consequence of fragmentation. Multivariate and STRUCTURE analysis estimates the partitioning of genetic variation among four natural population genetic clusters (broadly defined by geographical regions of the species’ range) and a fifth, highly differentiated, genetic cluster defined by introduced genotypes of unverifiable genetic origin to the casually augmented AN population. It is recommended that restoration intervention (i.e. to augment declining populations or introduce populations to enhance gene flow) source propagules for introduction from within the local population genetic cluster in order to maximise the potential for introduction/exchange of locally adaptive genetic variation.

The existing ex situ gene conservation strategy for A. pulsatilla can be predicted to under-represent the species’ natural genetic variability due to limited sampling effort. At a minimum, a representative ex situ gene conservation strategy for the safeguard of A. pulsatilla UK variability should aim to capture representative accessions from the most diverse population/s of each of the four natural population genetic clusters. It is also recommended that the six native AN genotypes are sampled for ex situ conservation due to a disproportionately high level of unique genetic variation. A pilot study of regenerated ex situ accessions supports a prediction that the following factors act on genetic diversity: (a) survivorship; (b) number of generation removed from the wild; (c) effective population size.

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Science by Research (MScRes))
Thesis advisor: Roberts, David
Thesis advisor: Hardwick, Kate
Thesis advisor: Groombridge, Jim
Uncontrolled keywords: Restoration Genetics
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Users 1 not found.
Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2016 17:00 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 18:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/55157 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Worswick, Gemma.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.