Author
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Anderson, Sharon |
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Luster, Douglas - Doug |
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Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2005 Publication Date: 11/4/2005 Citation: Anderson, S.J., Luster, D.G. Variation in centaurea solstitialis and population origins. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts in Madison, WI Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Understanding population origins is important in developing controls for invasive organisms, such as Centaurea solstitialis, a widespread invasive plant species in the Western United States. Through identification of the origins of North American C. solstitialis populations we greatly increase our ability to predict Eurasian sites to search for effective biocontrol agents. Variation in chalcone synthase (CHS) gene family intron lengths and morphology was used to understand the Eurasian origins of the North American C. solstitialis populations. Genetic similarities among CHS intron fingerprints indicated at least two introductions of C. solstitialis into the United States, with each introduction from a different region of Eurasia. Early results indicate that Idaho and Washington populations potentially have the same origin. Central California populations may be from more than two introductions. These comparisons of genetic similarities for CHS intron length variation and morphology are two of the five markers being used to make consensus estimates of Eurasian origins for Western North American populations. Ultimately, the combined data will provide geographic coordinates for collection sites with the most promising biological control agents. |
