VANDERPOOL, STARIA S.* AND LINH V. HOANG. Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR 72467. - Genetic variation among populations of Solidago riddellii.
Genetic variation within and among populations of Solidago
riddellii (Asteraceae) was assessed using allozyme polymorphism to
investigate the consequences of rapid migration of plant species on
population genetic structure in this species. Riddell's goldenrod is
an outcrossing, clonal herbaceous perennial species with a localized
but widespread distribution. It occurs in fens and wet meadows with a
global range from northern Arkansas through the upper Midwest with
eastern extensions into Ontario, Canada and western populations known
from southern Manitoba, Canada. Modern distribution is influenced by
colonization northward following the retreat of Pleistocene glaciers
in the upper Midwest and the fragmentation of wetland habitat by
modern land use patterns. Accessions from 49 populations, with a
total of 507 individuals, were analyzed for 9 enzyme systems coding
for 23 putative loci. Four enzyme systems were polymorphic, with 5
monomorphic systems identified. Nei's genetic identity coefficient
for the species overall was 0.93. The allozyme data does not support
significant differentiation between eastern and western populations,
nor does it support differentiation between northern and southern
populations.
Key words: allozyme diversity, Asteraceae, rapid migration, Solidago riddellii