Genotypic diversity and clonal structure of Erigeron annuus (Asteraceae) in Lithuania

This study was conducted to assess the clonal structure and genetic diversity of alien herbaceous plant species Erigeron annuus. The global warming and changes in agriculture practice in the past few decades were favourable for the expansion of this species in Lithuania. We used RAPD and ISSR assays to assess genetic variation within and among 29 populations of E. annuus. A total of 278 molecular markers were revealed. Our study detected reduced level of genetic diversity of invasive populations of E. annuus. Significant differences in DNA polymorphism among populations of E. annuus were also found. Some populations of this species are composed of genetically identical plants, while others were polymorphic. Clonal diversity of study populations ranged from 0.083 to 0.4 for both DNA marker systems. The Simpsons diversity index values ranged from 0.0 to 0.636. The average number of genotypes per population established using both assays was about 1.7. Out of 328 E. annuus individuals only 16 showed unique RAPD and 14 unique ISSR banding patterns. The remaining plants were clones of different size. The most common genotype of E. annuus identified in our study was represented by predominate in nine populations.Keywords: Clonal structure, DNA markers, Erigeron annuus, invasive plants, ISSR, RAPDGenetische Vielfalt und Klonstruktur von Erigeron annuus (Asteraceae) in LitauenZusammenfassungDie Untersuchungen verfolgen das Ziel, die genetische Struktur der nicht-einheimischen Pflanzenart Erigeron annuus auszuwerten. Globale Erwärmung sowie Veränderungen in der landwirtschaftlichen Praxis der letzten Jahrzehnte waren bedeutsam für die Verbreitung dieser Art in Litauen. Für die Feststellung der genetischen Verteilungsvielfalt in den 29 E. annuus Populationen haben wir uns der RAPD und ISSR -Methoden bedient. Insgesamt wurden 117 RAPD - und 161 ISSR - Loci festgestellt. Die Untersuchungen haben die verringerte genetische Vielfalt der E. annuus Populationen aufgezeigt. Außerdem wurden bedeutende DNR polymorphe Unterschiede zwischen E. annuus Populationen angetroffen. Einige Populationen dieser Art bestanden aus genetisch identischen Pflanzen, während die anderen polymorphem waren. Die Klonvielfalt der untersuchten Populationen schwankte zwischen 0.083 und 0.4 bei der Verwendung von beiden DNR-Signifikanten. Die durchschnittliche Genotypen Zahl in der Population betrug etwa 1.7 bei der Verwendung von beiden Signifikanten. Nach der Untersuchung der 328 E. annuus Individuen wurden 16 unikale RAPD - und 14 unikale ISSR - Phänotypen festgestellt. Die übriggebliebenen Pflanzen waren Klonen von unterschiedlicher Größe. Der am meisten verbreitete E. annuus Genotyp wurde in neun Populationen ermittelt.Stichwörter: DNS- Marker, Erigeron annuus, ISSR, Klonstruktur, invasive Pflanzen, RAP

Investigation of genetic diversity and relationships of blue-berried honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivars, genetic lines and populations at the Vilnius University Botanical Garden

Blue-berried honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) as a fruit crop is relatively rare in Lithuania and neighboring countries. Since 1975, the Vilnius University Botanical Garden has collected and investigated blue-berried honeysuckle cultivars. We studied cultivars, genetic lines, and representatives of some populations using molecular marker techniques (RAPD, ISSR, cpDNA). We evaluated the genetic variability and relationships of the studied accessions. Molecular studies indicate that L. caerulea retains high genetic diversity at the intraspecific level

Paprastosios avietės (Rubus idaeus L.) lauko kolekcijos įvertinimas

A natural diversity of wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) with the stress on fruit and related properties of the species was studied in the field collection established in the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University. 49 accessions were taken for the evaluation purposes in the collection established from wild-collected vegetative plant material covering nearly all parts of Lithuania. The properties assessed were fruit weight, number of drupelets, fruit length and width, floricane height and diameter, flower diameter. The most distinguishing accessions were selected and correlations between some characters established

Paprastosios avietės (Rubus idaeus L.) lauko kolekcijos įvertinimas

A natural diversity of wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) with the stress on fruit and related properties of the species was studied in the field collection established in the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University. 49 accessions were taken for the evaluation purposes in the collection established from wild-collected vegetative plant material covering nearly all parts of Lithuania. The properties assessed were fruit weight, number of drupelets, fruit length and width, floricane height and diameter, flower diameter. The most distinguishing accessions were selected and correlations between some characters established.Vilniaus universiteto Botanikos sodo lauko kolekcijoje buvo tiriama paprastosios avietės (Rubus idaeus L.) 49 kolekcinių pavyzdžių gamtinė įvairovė. Aviečių lauko kolekcija įkurta 2001–2003 m. ir apima pavyzdžius iš beveik visų Lietuvos rajonų. Kolekcija vertinta matuojant tokius kiekybinius morfometrinius rodiklius kaip sudėtinio vaisiaus masė, kaulavaisiukų skaičius, vaisiaus ilgis bei plotis, derančio stiebo aukštis bei storis, žiedo skersmuo. Taip pat įvertinti santykiniai rodikliai – sudėtinio vaisiaus ilgio ir pločio santykis (formos indeksas) bei derančio stiebo aukščio ir diametro santykis. Nustatyta labai stipri koreliacija tarp vaisiaus masės ir diametro (R=0,93) bei masės ir ilgio (R=0,88). Užfiksuotas stiprus koreliacinis ryšys tarp vaisiaus ilgio ir pločio (R=0,85) bei vidutinio stiprumo – tarp vaisiaus masės ir kaulavaisiukų kiekio jame (R=0,59). Didžiausia variacija iš tirtų rodiklių išsiskyrė vaisiaus masė ir kaulavaisiukų skaičius jame, taip pat stebėta didelė derančių stiebų aukščio variacija. Vykdant atranką pagal tirtus morfometrinius rodiklius, verti dėmesio yra šie kolekciniai pavyzdžiai: SS01, JL32, JL33, JL35 ir JL23

Erigeron annuus genetinės įvairovės gradientas rūšies Europos invazinio arealo dalyje

Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. (Asteraceae) is native species to eastern North America, but has been introduced to Europe and many other temperate regions of the world. In order to assess the impact of spreading history and settlement time on the genetic diversity of invasive populations of E. annuus, individual plants were sampled from 16 populations located in Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia along the south-northern expansion direction of this species in Europe. One population was collected in native range (New Brunswick, Canada). The analysis of ISSR polymorphism in 253 plants revealed 161 polymorphic bands. The highest genotype variation and genetic diversity parameters were revealed in the populations from Switzerland and Poland, the least – in Latvian populations. All 37 plants from Latvia were clones of the same genotype. The comparison of genetic diversity parameters of populations from different countries showed the decrease of genetic diversity on the south-north direction

Assessment of Anthropogenic Impacts on the Genetic Diversity of <i>Phragmites australis</i> in Small-River Habitats

Common reed is often used as a model plant to study the anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems at local and global scales. As a community-forming species, it is directly exposed to the impacts of human activities on the ecosystem. The aim of our study was to evaluate the patterns of genetic diversity in common reed stands located in habitats that are differently affected by anthropogenic factors. We studied whether riverbed modifications, land cover in the neighborhood of the stand and the chemical and physical parameters of the river water affect the genetic diversity of P. australis at the studied sites. Using DNA fingerprinting, we genotyped 747 plants from 42 sites located in 16 small Lithuanian rivers. Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analysis revealed two main gene pools at the population (river) level. At the site level (i.e., considering all sites independently of their rivers), polymorphism was high even between sites in the same river. Our study revealed a negative relationship between the concentration of nitrogen compounds and the genotypic richness of P. australis populations. We did not find any correlations between the other chemical parameters of the water and the parameters of the genetic diversity. Additionally, there were no genetic differences between sites in modified and unmodified river sections or between sites that differed in land cover type in the neighborhood of the stand

First records and molecular confirmation of invasive species Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H.St.John, 1920 in Lithuania

Alien aquatic plant species have significant ecological and economic impacts on freshwater ecosystems and are mentioned amongst the major threats to aquatic biodiversity. Detection of alien species at the beginning of invasion can help avoid their spread and prevent negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. This study presents the first records of invasive species Elodea nuttallii in Lithuania. This species was found in three localities of the Nemunas River (southern Lithuania) in 2020 and 2021. The localities were mapped using system grid cells arranged based on geographical coordinates with sides of 6′ latitude and 10′ longitude. The habitat characteristic and associated species were presented. The identity of Elodea nuttallii was confirmed using a molecular method (sequencing of two regions ITS and psbE-petL). The molecular analysis was effective in supporting the identification of individuals collected in the early stages of growth. We suppose that Elodea nuttallii may be more widespread in the region of north-eastern Poland, north-eastern Belarus and southern Lithuania and will continue to spread north and northeast directions. The expansion of Elodea nuttallii can have a negative impact on valuable natural habitats, particularly on protected throughout Europe water courses with the Ranunculion vegetation