AUTHOR=Makuch Weronika A. , Wanke Stefan , Ditsch Barbara , Richter Frank , Herklotz Veit , Ahlborn Julian , Ritz Christiane M. TITLE=Population genetics and plant growth experiments as prerequisite for conservation measures of the rare European aquatic plant Luronium natans (Alismataceae) JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science VOLUME=13 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1069842 DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.1069842 ISSN=1664-462X ABSTRACT=
Information provided by population genetic studies is often necessary to effectively protect endangered species. In general, such data is scarce for aquatic plants and this holds also for
Thus, we performed Amplified Fragment-Length Polymorphism (AFLP) on two large populations in Saxony, Germany (
We revealed considerably high levels of genetic diversity within populations (Shannon Indices ranged from 0.367 to 0.416) implying that populations are not restricted to clonal growth only but reproduce also by open-pollinated flowers. Remarkably, the two geographically close Saxon populations were genetically distant to each other but subpopulations within a locality were completely intermingled. Concerning optimal cultivation conditions, longest roots were obtained at temperatures >14°C and saturated, but not submerging water levels.
Thus, our findings advocate for a re-introduction scheme from nearby source populations and provide detailed information on successful