Grantee Research Project Results

Genetic Variation in Phragmites Australis

EPA Grant Number: U915648
Title: Genetic Variation in Phragmites Australis
Investigators: Saltonstall, Kristin
Institution: Yale University
EPA Project Officer: Lee, Sonja
Project Period: June 1, 1999 through June 1, 2002
Project Amount: $80,844
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Life Sciences , Biology/Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships

Objective:

This research project examines the question of whether a non-native strain of Phragmites australis might have been introduced to North America, thus contributing to its spread. The objectives of this research project are to examine the following questions: (1) What is the distribution of extant populations of P. australis across North America and how are they related? (2) How are historic and present-day populations of P. australis throughout North America related? and (3) How are Phragmites populations from different parts of the world related?

Approach:

Recent developments in molecular techniques allow the comparison of large numbers of samples collected throughout the range of P. australis. Samples from extant populations will be collected worldwide with a focus on North America and Europe. Data on habitat type, clone age, and other site-specific information also will be collected and will be correlated with genetic data. Historical specimens from herbaria (e.g., 100+ years old) and preserved rhizomes (500+ years old) obtained from marsh cores will be used for comparison with modern samples to detect if a change in the genetic structure of the North American population has occurred. Noncoding regions of the chloroplast genome will be sequenced, and microsatellite markers will be identified to examine variability in the species. Phylogenetic relationships between populations will be inferred using both maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony techniques. Data will be analyzed geographically, and discrepancies between geographical and phylogenetic relatedness will be explored further.

Expected Results:

This research will attempt to describe the genetic makeup of Phragmites populations in North America, whereas recent studies have had limited sample sizes and have been restricted to a local or regional focus.

Supplemental Keywords:

genetic polymorphisms, conservation, ecology, genetics, Phragmites, Phragmites australis., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Ecological Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Forestry, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Monitoring/Modeling, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Genetics, invasive species, biodiversity, ecosystem assessment, ecological assessment, genetic differentiation, bioassessment, genetic consequences, DNA, molecular characterization, molecular ecology, phylogenetics, genetic testing, hybridization, Phragmites Australis, ecological impacts, molecular genetics

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.