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Significant population genetic structure detected for a new and highly restricted species of Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae) from Western Australia, and implications for conservation management

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 13:54 authored by Laurence ClarkeLaurence Clarke, Jardine, DI, Byrne, M, Shepherd, K, Lowe, AJ
Atriplex sp. Yeelirrie Station (L. Trotter & A. Douglas LCH 25025) is a highly restricted, potentially new species of saltbush, known from only two sites ~30 km apart in central Western Australia. Knowledge of genetic structure within the species is required to inform conservation strategies as both populations occur within a palaeovalley that contains significant near-surface uranium mineralisation. We investigate the structure of genetic variation within populations and subpopulations of this taxon using nuclear microsatellites. Internal transcribed spacer sequence data places this new taxon within a clade of polyploid Atriplex species, and the maximum number of alleles per locus suggests it is hexaploid. The two populations possessed similar levels of genetic diversity, but exhibited a surprising level of genetic differentiation given their proximity. Significant isolation by distance over scales of less than 5 km suggests dispersal is highly restricted. In addition, the proportion of variation between the populations (12%) is similar to that among A. nummularia populations sampled at a continent-wide scale (several thousand kilometres), and only marginally less than that between distinct A. nummularia subspecies. Additional work is required to further clarify the exact taxonomic status of the two populations. We propose management recommendations for this potentially new species in light of its highly structured genetic variation.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Botany

Volume

60

Pagination

32-41

ISSN

0067-1924

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

150 Oxford St, Po Box 1139, Collingwood, Australia, Victoria, 3066

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 CSIRO

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

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    University Of Tasmania

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