GENETIC STRUCTURE OF A POPULATION OF THE ENDANGERED STAR CACTUS (ASTROPHYTUM ASTERIAS) IN SOUTHERN TEXAS Academic Article

abstract

• We used data on alleles of seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in 142 individuals of the star cactus Astrophytum asterias from five subpopulations to estimate genetic parameters. Four of the subpopulations had high levels of heterozygosity and allelic diversity compatible with efficient outcrossing, and low FST-values that suggested high rates of gametic gene flow effected by winged-insect pollinators. The fifth subpopulation that was small and occupied the smallest area had low levels of heterozygosity and allelic diversity, which can be caused by small populations, inbreeding, geographic isolation, and founder effect. Our research indicated that all subpopulations, except one, were genetically suitable sources of propagules for reintroduction or for augmentation of other populations.

authors

• Pepper, Alan

published proceedings

• SOUTHWESTERN NATURALIST

author list (cited authors)

• Terry, M. K., Pepper, A. E., Strong, A. W., Tarin, D. M., Price, D. M., & Manhart, J. R.

citation count

• 7

complete list of authors

• Terry, Martin K||Pepper, Alan E||Strong, Anna W||Tarin, Daniel M||Price, Dana M||Manhart, James R

publication date

• June 2012

publisher

• Southwestern Association of Naturalists  Publisher

published in

• Southwestern Naturalist  Journal

keywords

• 15 Life On Land
• Genetics

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1894/0038-4909-57.2.182

start page

• 182

end page

• 188

volume

• 57

issue

• 2

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1894%2F0038-4909-57.2.182

user-defined tag

• 15 Life on Land