Genetic variation in Antarctic populations of the moss Sarconeurum glaciale

Abstract

Sixty-six isolates of the moss Sarconeurum glaciale were collected from sites in continental Antarctica at Ross Island, southern Victoria Land and the Vestfold Hills. Genetic variation within and among the populations was estimated using isozymes and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology. Isozyme results only reproducibly showed variation between the populations with one enzyme; RAPDs indicated significantly higher levels of genetic variability within and among the Vestfold Hills samples than in the Ross Sea region samples. A dendrogram produced from the RAPD bands suggested that the Ross Island and southern Victoria Land samples form one population, and those from the Vestfold Hills form a separate and more variable population, possibly resulting from separate colonisation events on the continent.