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Genetic diversity and dispersal of cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana, Myrtaceae)
Abstract

Genetic diversity and dispersal of cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana, Myrtaceae)

Rhonda L Stokoe, Malcolm G McVey, Stephen J Trueman, David J Lee and Helen M Wallace
Proceedings of the 2004 IUFRO Conference
IUFRO Conference: Population, Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics of Forest Trees, 2004 (Pacific Grove, United States, 2004)
2004
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http://www.iufro.org/publications/proceedings/proceedings-meetings-2004/View
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Abstract

Plant Biology Corymbia torelliana Cadaghi stingless bees Trigona spp.
Cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana) has a natural distribution that is restricted to the rainforest margins of Far North Queensland, but has been planted widely as an ornamental and amenity species within Australia. It has a unique seed dispersal mechanism by stingless bees (Trigona spp.) termed "mellitochory", potentially leading to dispersal events over much greater distances than expected by gravity alone. Given that C. torelliana has been declared an invasive weed in parts of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, knowledge of the diversity within this species and the relative distances which Trigona bees disperse their seeds will be useful in the environmental management of C. torelliana. This study also has important implications to the forestry industry given that it naturally hybridises with spotted gum taxa and such hybrids are showing great potential for hardwood plantations across northern Australia. Using molecular markers such as microsatellites and chloroplast DNA, we have investigated the level of genetic diversity within and between natural populations of C. torelliana across its natural range. The relative distance of seed dispersal by bees compared to pollen dispersal was also been examined using microsatellites in a semi-natural C. torelliana population. The results from these studies will be presented.

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