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Genetic structure of two pin oak (Quercus palustris ) populations along the Upper Mississippi River

Posted on:2010-01-31Degree:M.SType:Thesis
University:Western Illinois UniversityCandidate:Shreiner, Brett MatthewFull Text:PDF
GTID:2443390002984467Subject:Biology
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Pin oak (Quercus palustris) is an important plant species in the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River, currently declining in abundance. This research will focus on large-scale genetic structure of two of the remaining pin oak subpopulations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variation within and among two populations of Quercus palustris. Genetic markers will be used to study the genetic distribution of pin oak populations and determine gene flow within and between different subpopulations.;Alterations in the hydrology of the Mississippi River and conversion of land for agricultural use have caused changes in flood patterns and an overall loss of habitat for pin oaks. These changes have caused a decline of pin oaks and a fragmentation of pin oak populations. It is unclear how the genetic variability within pin oak populations has been affected by this altered environment.;This research indicates that the two pin oak populations of this study are the result of genetic bottlenecks and a disturbance in the panmictic breeding of this species. This has led to an increase in inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity from other populations. Increased inbreeding may cause an even further decline of pin oak populations as older, more diverse trees are lost. The isolation of these populations, with their loss of genetic diversity, is likely to have a negative impact on the survivability of these fragmented populations and their evolutionary ability to adapt to environmental change.
Keywords/Search Tags:Pin oak, Populations, Quercus palustris, Genetic, Mississippi
PDF Full Text Request
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