title: Clonal structure of wild populations and origins of horticultural stocks of Illicium parviflorum (Illiciaceae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Habitat fragmentation is often assumed to result in limited genetic diversity across impacted plant communities. Central Florida has undergone extensive anthropogenic changes, while also harboring large numbers of endemic species. In this study, we assessed genetic structure and dependence on clonality in a central Florida endemic, Illicium parviflorum (Illiciaceae), as well as evaluated genetic diversity of this species in horticultural stocks. •
  
  
  METHODS
  Six sites were sampled across the geographic range of I. parviflorum. A PCR-based assay using intersimple sequence repeats (ISSRs) was used to assess genetic structure. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results, based on 26 ISSR loci, suggest that clonal structure plays a role in all populations, with PD values ranging from 0.25 to 0.50. Only two populations exhibited unique genotypes, while the remaining four populations shared genotypes. Horticultural samples all shared one genotype, which can be traced back to a single natural population. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clonal reproduction is an important factor in the maintenance of natural populations of I. parviflorum, although the degree to which this is true varies by population. Horticultural samples likely represent a single or very few collection events, indicating the need for greater genetic diversity within horticultural stocks. Further analyses using microsatellites are planned to confirm these results.
authors: Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688 USA.
authors: Darah L
authors: DL
authors: Newell
authors: Ashley B
authors: AB
authors: Morris