Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Bell, Hester L. [1], Friar, Elizabeth [1], Columbus, J. Travis [1].

Population genetics of Swallenia alexandrae (Poaceae), the Eureka Valley dune grass..

Knowledge of population genetic diversity is valuable for guiding conservation of rare species. The Eureka Valley dune grass, Swallenia alexandrae (Swallen) Soderstr. & H.F.Decker, is restricted to four dunes in the Eureka Valley and adjacent Saline Mountains (Inyo County, CA, USA) within an elevation range from 900 to 1200 m above sea level. As a narrow endemic, S. alexandrae is listed as endangered by the federal government and as rare by the California Department of Fish and Game. Monitoring of S. alexandraehas revealed that population size varies widely depending on seasonal rainfall. The major threat to the survival of S. alexandrae is habitat destruction and degradation from off road vehicles. The level and distribution of genetic diversity within rare endemic plant species depends on population history, as well as current biological and nonbiological factors. The present study used randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) to estimate the genetic diversity within and among the four known populations of S. alexandrae.

1 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont, California, 91711-3157, USA

Keywords:
Poaceae
Swallenia alexandrae
population genetic diversity
RAPDs
rare endemic.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-42
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:617