Genetic structure in patchy populations of a candidate foundation plant: a case study ofLeymus chinensisusing genetic and clonal diversity

Abstract

Premise The distribution of genetic diversity on the landscape has critical ecological and evolutionary implications. This may be especially the case on a local scale for foundation plant species because they create and define ecological communities, contributing disproportionately to ecosystem function. Methods We examined the distribution of genetic diversity and clones, which we defined first as unique multilocus genotypes (MLG), and then by grouping similar MLGs into multilocus lineages. We used 186 markers from inter‐simple sequence repeats (ISSR) across 358 ramets from 13 patches of the foundation grass Leymus chinensis. We examined the relationship between genetic and clonal diversities, their variation with patch size, and the effect of the number of markers used to evaluate genetic diversity and structure in this species. Results Every ramet had a unique MLG. Almost all patches consisted of individuals belonging to a single multilocus lineages. We confirmed this with a clustering algorithm to group related genotypes. The predominance of a single lineage within each patch could be the result of the accumulation of somatic mutations, limited dispersal, some sexual reproduction with partners mainly restricted to the same patch, or a combination of all three. Conclusions We found strong genetic structure among patches of L. chinensis. Consistent with previous work on the species, the clustering of similar genotypes within patches suggests that clonal reproduction combined with somatic mutation, limited dispersal, and some degree of sexual reproduction among neighbors causes individuals within a patch to be more closely related than among patches.

Seed germination demonstrates inter-annual variations in alkaline tolerance: a case study in perennial Leymus chinensis

“…Pol et al [ 33 ] suggested that perenniality could enable perennial grasses to make large reproductive investments despite harsh environmental conditions. However, little is known about the year-to-year variation in seed yield of L. chinensis growing in a finite space within the same habitat [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Clonal dominant grass Leymus chinensis benefits more from physiological integration in sexual reproduction than its main companions in a meadow

“…L. chinensis has high nutritional value and good palatability; therefore, different types of L. chinensis meadows are excellent mowing and grazing grounds ( Jia, 1987 ; Zhu, 2004 ). Because of its economic and ecological significance, L. chinensis has received considerable attention ( Guo et al., 2021 ; Meng et al., 2022 ; Sun et al., 2022b ). However, its main companion species, such as L. secalinus , C. ripidula , C. pseudophragmites and C. epigeios , have received less attention.…”

Trait Response to Nitrogen and Salinity in Rhizophora mangle Propagules and Variation by Maternal Family and Population of Origin

“…Hence, these species disproportionately contribute to maintaining habitat integrity and ecosystem resilience (Bertness and Callaway, 1994;Keith et al, 2017;Ellison, 2019;Bertness, 2020;Qiao et al, 2021). Understanding how these species cope with challenges from anthropogenic impacts is key to preserving the ecosystems they create and define (Gedan et al, 2009(Gedan et al, , 2011Guo et al, 2021).…”