Dissertation Research: The Population Biology of Rarity in the Genus Eupatorium

种群生物学的主要目标是确定 物种分布和当地丰度的基础。 稀有物种 代表了一种极端的情况，因此它们是一个有用的系统， 研究影响丰度的因素。 日益认识到 保护问题产生了额外的动力来研究 罕见病例和罕见病例的适当管理做法 物种，但目前还没有一致的理论遗传或 生态环境问题，解决这些问题。 树脂泽兰 （罕见）和E.本研究将使用Perfoliatum（常见） 研究与以下疾病相关的生态和遗传特征： 稀有。 预计稀有物种的遗传变异较低， 遗传漂变 种群内和种群间的遗传变异 通过使用淀粉凝胶电泳进行评价。 近亲繁殖 抑郁症和有限的环境耐受范围也是 在稀有物种中。 一个现场实验将被用来 评估近亲繁殖衰退的程度。 温室 实验将用于测量表型的程度 可塑性反过来影响一个物种的环境 宽容 由于本研究的综合设计， 所获得的信息将提供对进化和 和管理方面的稀有性。

The main goal of population biology is to determine the casual basis for species distribution and local abundance. Rare species represent an extreme situation, hence they are a useful system for studying factors that influence abundance. Increasing awareness of conservation issues has generated additional motivation to study cases of rarity and appropriate management practices for rare species, but there is currently no coherent theoretical genetic or ecological framework to address these issues. Eupatorium resinosum (rare) and E. perfoliatum (common) will be used in this study examining ecological and genetic characteristics associated with rarity. Low genetic variation is expected in rare species due to genetic drift. Genetic variation within and among populations will be evaluated by using starch gel electrophoresis. Inbreeding depression and limited range of environmental tolerance are also expected in rare species. A field experiment will be used to evaluate the extent of inbreeding depression. A greenhouse experiment will be used to measure the extent of phenotypic plasticity which in turn influences a species environmental tolerance. Due to the comprehensive design of this study, the information obtained will provide insights into both evolutionary and management aspects of rarity.