Patterns of Genotypic Diversity in Clonal Plant Species

Abstract

We compile and analyze data on the population genetic structure of broad‐sense clonal plant populations where sexual recruitment is rare or absent. The data from 27 studies show a common theme: multiclonal populations of intermediate diversity and evenness tend to be the rule, most clones are restricted to one or a few populations, and widespread clones are exceptional. While a few studies have demonstrated that ecological differences among sympatric clones do occur, more experimental and theoretical studies are necessary to determine the role of selection and other evolutionary forces in maintaining clonal polymorphism.

Floral distribution, clonal structure, and their effects on pollination success in a self-incompatible Convallaria keiskei population in northern Japan

“…It is widely accepted that clonal populations are genotypically almost as diverse as sexually reproducing populations (Ellstrand and Roose 1987;Bayer 1990;Eckert 1999). For long-lived clonal plants, a small number of annual seedling recruits is sufficient to maintain clonal diversity in populations (Watkinson and Powell 1993;Widén et al 1994).…”

“…For long-lived clonal plants, a small number of annual seedling recruits is sufficient to maintain clonal diversity in populations (Watkinson and Powell 1993;Widén et al 1994). reported by Ellstrand and Roose (1987) and for 45 species (D = 0.75, G/n = 0.27) reported by Widén et al (1994). Unfortunately, the processes of seed dispersal and clonal migration (i.e., rhizome growth) in C. keiskei are not well understood.…”

Genetic Variation and Clonal Diversity of the Two Divergent Types of Clonal Populations of Leymus chinensis Tzvel on the Song Liao Steppe in the West of Northeastern China

“…The mean diversity of the grey-green type of populations (Table 2; D = 0.727) and that of the yellowgreen type of populations (Table 2; D = 0.700) fell within the range for vegetatively reproducing rhizome grass species in the study of Ellstrand (1987), but mean E for analogous populations of other species was higher than that of either the grey-green or yellow-green types of populations.…”

“…We often assumed that clonal populations had low levels of seedling recruitment through seed and expected that these populations may become one or a few large genets (Ellstrand and Roose 1987). Harberd (1967) has documented this type of dominance for Festuca rubra.…”

“…Therefore, the overwhelming emphasis in studies of genetic variation in plants has been on sexually reproducing species, with little attention paid to those from clones (Ellstrand and Roose 1987;Wang 2002). Whatever the general merits of these studies, it is difficult to apply them to clonal plants.…”