Ecological genetics of the wind-pollinated, tetraploid, Allocasuarina emuina L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae) from southeast Queensland reveals montane refugia for coastal heath during the last interglacial

Robert W Lamont; Rhonda L Stokoe; Alison Shapcott

doi:10.1071/BT12252

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Ecological genetics of the wind-pollinated, tetraploid, Allocasuarina emuina L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae) from southeast Queensland reveals montane refugia for coastal heath during the last interglacial

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Ecological genetics of the wind-pollinated, tetraploid, Allocasuarina emuina L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae) from southeast Queensland reveals montane refugia for coastal heath during the last interglacial

Robert W Lamont, Rhonda L Stokoe and Alison Shapcott

Australian Journal of Botany, Vol.60(8), pp.718-734

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/BT12252

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Abstract

apomixis

conservation genetics

endangered plants

fire ecology

polyploidy

The subtropical coastal heathlands of southeast Queensland contain many rare and threatened species and have undergone considerable habitat loss in recent years due to high levels of urbanisation. We used morphological and microsatellite markers to investigate the reproductive ecology, in relation to fire, and population genetic structure of the endangered shrub Allocasuarina emuina. Highly significant differences (P less than 0.001) were detected among populations for all cone- and seed-related morphological traits, which revealed distinct northern and southern groups of populations, a pattern repeated in the genetic component of the study. Results also indicated that the reproductive viability of A. emuina is more related to fire interval than population size and confirmed that seed viability declines with time since fire. The highest level of genetic diversity for the species was observed in the population on Mt Emu (AE4A; HE = 0.688). Contrary to the expectations of population genetic theory, no relationship was found between the level of genetic variation and population size, density or degree of isolation, hinting that genetic diversity is being conserved as a result of polyploidy and apomixis. However, genetic signatures in the northern populations indicated that unidirectional dispersal of genetic material from the putatively refugial population on Mt Emu to the surrounding coastal plain has been occurring with recession of sea levels following the last interglacial. The findings of the study will aid in both the conservation of natural populations and translocations of A. emuina and have significant implications relating to the biogeographical history of a considerable number of co-occurring heathland taxa.

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Title: Ecological genetics of the wind-pollinated, tetraploid, Allocasuarina emuina L. Johnson (Casuarinaceae) from southeast Queensland reveals montane refugia for coastal heath during the last interglacial
Authors: Robert W Lamont (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Rhonda L Stokoe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Alison Shapcott (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Australian Journal of Botany, Vol.60(8), pp.718-734
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1071/BT12252
ISSN: 0067-1924
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Law and Society; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450501602621
Output Type: Journal article

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