Abstract

Habitat loss and modification due to factors such as climate change, as well as human activity such as poaching and overcollection, have led to many plant species becoming rare or endangered. These activities have also reduced population genetic diversity, which significantly influences the ability to adapt to environmental changes. Sarracenia species (North American pitcher plants) are rare, perennial carnivorous plants typically found in bogs whose soils are very acidic and nutrient poor. Sarracenia jonesii (Jones’ pitcher plant; federally endangered) and Sarracenia purpurea var. montana (mountain purple pitcher plant; federal species of concern) co-occur in some habitats, and the presence of phenotypic intermediates in these sites led scientists to believe that hybridization has occurred. Although the intermediates have morphological traits of both Sarracenia jonesii and Sarracenia purpurea var. montana, this potential hybridization had not been investigated with molecular genetic tools. The purpose of this research was to determine levels of genetic diversity in populations of these rare plants, then confirm or deny hybridization between these two species. Tissue samples from the two Sarracenia species and their potential hybrids were non-destructively collected from three sites in western North Carolina, and DNA was extracted. Two sets of informative microsatellite loci were used to analyze DNA extracts; one indicated population level diversity, while the other determined hybrid ancestry. Fragment analysis was used to assess allele sizes, and results were analyzed using two R packages. Genetic diversity within populations was relatively high, though it varied among sites and species. Hybrids overrepresented ancestry of the less common species at their site of origin. Results could help conservation biologists to preserve both species as separate, diverse taxa and make management decisions, particularly during plants’ reproductive seasons.

How to Cite