Title: Detection of Genetic Variation in Wild Populations of Three Allium Species using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP)
Abstract: The genus Allium is distributed worldwide and includes about 80 North American species, with at least 13 occurring in Utah. Our study focuses on the population dynamics of three Allium species native to Utah; Allium acuminatum, A. brandegei, and A. passeyi . In conjunction with our studies of life history, growth characteristics, demographics, and habitat, we are interested in determining the levels of genetic variation in these species. This study examines amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) within and among five Allium acuminatum , four A. brandegei , and three A. passeyi populations native to Utah. These species have contrasting abundance and distribution. The study populations were selected along an elevation gradient to represent within-species habitat differences. About 10–20 plants from each of the 12 populations were genotyped using six AFLP primer combinations, which detect DNA variation within and among all three species. These data will be used to compare levels of genetic variation and isolation among populations and species.