Dissertation Research: Genetic Consequences of Variance in Gene Flow Components in Natural Populations of a Marine Angiosperm

自然界植物遗传分化的进化原因 对植物种群了解甚少。 基因流的估计 有必要区分选择的相对作用， 随机遗传漂变产生群体结构。 的 这项研究的目的是估计 基因流、交配系统和种群选择的影响 海洋被子植物大叶藻的遗传分化 L（鳗草）。 初步数据显示， 种群在遗传上是有区别的，尽管有可能 对于长距离的传播和高周转率， 海洋环境中的殖民地。 估计 有效种群大小、交配系统和贡献 成年人迁移到实现基因流的过程将被纳入 现有的遗传分化预测模型。 的 遗传漂变对观察群体的影响可能性 结构将通过1）空间尺度的估计进行评估 基因流动发生的地方，2）移植实验 旨在憎恨空间变化的选择。 信息 从这项研究中获得的将用于评估的一般性， 关于授粉系统、基因流和种群的趋势 在陆地系统中建立的遗传结构。

The evolutionary causes of genetic differentiation in natural plant populations are poorly understood. Estimates of gene flow are necessary to distinguish the relative roles of selection and random genetic drift in producing population structure. The purpose of the proposed research is to estimate the contributions of gene flow, the mating system and selection to population genetic differentiation in the marine angiosperm, Zostera marina L (eelgrass). Preliminary data suggests that eelgrass populations are genetically differentiated, despite the potential for long distance dispersal and high turnover rates of colonization patches in the marine environment. Estimates of the effective population size, the mating system and the contribution of adult migration to realized gene flow will be incorporated into existing predictive models of genetic differentiation. The possibility that genetic drift contributes to observed population structure will be evaluated by 1) estimates of the spatial scale over which gene flow occurs, and 2) transplant experiments designed to detest spatially varying selection. Information gained from this study will be used to evaluate the generality of tends regarding pollination systems, gene flow and population genetic structure established in terrestrial systems.