Abstract
Multiple introductions are believed to play an important role in increasing genetic diversity and adaptability of invasive species, but there are few well-documented examples. The common reed, Phragmites australis, has dramatically increased in tidal wetlands throughout the USA in the past century due primarily to the introduction of a Eurasian lineage. In the Mississippi River “Balize” delta, P. australis is the dominant vegetation where monotypic stands of an introduced form blanket the outer marshes. The delta’s interior marshes, on the other hand, are more vegetatively diverse, serving as important waterfowl foraging habitat. Recent encroachment by various phenotypic forms of P. australis into the interior marshes led to this study examining genetic variation in these stands. Our results revealed four chloroplast DNA haplotypes that also segregate based on microsatellite variation. Three of these are closely related and introduced, but differ relative to time and likely mode of introduction. The “Delta” type (haplotype M1), which is unique to the region and the most common lineage, displays considerable microsatellite diversity. The Eurasian introduced lineage of P. australis (haplotype M), which is invasive elsewhere in North America, is increasing its distribution in the delta. A novel haplotype, AD, was also identified which is phenotypically and genetically similar to haplotype M. Despite the close relatedness, we found no evidence for inter-haplotype gene exchange at the nuclear level, suggesting that intraspecific hybridization is not a contributing factor to these invasions. The site provides a unique opportunity for researchers to understand the dynamics of multiple P. australis invasions.
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Acknowledgments
We wish to thank Dr. E. Bermingham for financial support (KS) and use of his laboratory facilities (DH, KS); the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service for access to the DNWR; Loyola University Grants & Leaves Committee Research Grant (2006, 2007), Faculty Development Grant (2007) and Sabbatical Leave (2008) (DH); Rev. J.H. Mullahy Fund (DH, DW, and CH); the Coastal Restoration and Enhancement through Science and Technology (CREST) program for financial support (DH, DW, and CH); the Louisiana Board of Regents grant LEQSF(2007-12)-ENH-PKSFI-PES-03 to Frank Jordan and Loyola University; Charlie Troxel and Carrie Owens for guidance on use of the LI-COR 4300; Frank Jordan for collections; two anonymous reviewers and Cori Richards-Zawacki, Michael Blum, and others from the SE Louisiana EEB Journal Club for comments on early drafts; and J.A. Englert, Truc Le, John Nguyen, and Hans Brix for technical assistance.
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Hauber, D.P., Saltonstall, K., White, D.A. et al. Genetic Variation in the Common Reed, Phragmites australis, in the Mississippi River Delta Marshes: Evidence for Multiple Introductions. Estuaries and Coasts 34, 851–862 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9391-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9391-9