MISHKIN, MIRAMANNI, SALLIE J HERMAN*, AND LINDA A RAUBESON. Department of Biological Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 98926. - Genetic diversity of a rare buttercup.
Ranunculus triternatus occurs as a few isolated populations in
Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada. We are using RAPDs to measure
genetic diversity among 25 individuals of one population from the
Columbia Hills Preserve near Goldendale, WA. We are also examining 25
individuals from one population of the widespread sagebrush buttercup,
Ranunculus glaberrimus. This will allow the diversity of the
isolated species to be compared to its widespread congener. In our
early analyses, each RAPD primer tested shows at least one band unique
to each species. So far more variation has been detected among
individuals of R. triternatus than among individuals of R.
glaberrimus.
Key words: genetic diversity, Ranunculus triternatus, Ranunuculus glaberrimus, RAPD