Popis: |
Reed stands in Germany and Europe were investigatedwith respect to their genetic diversity by means ofRandom Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) via thePolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR-fingerprinting).Different types of clonal distribution could bedistinguished: monoclonal reed stands and polyclonalreed stands, and among the latter, stands with low orhigh numbers of different clones as well as standswith mosaic-like coexisting or intermingling clones.Furthermore, clonal distribution and the expansion ofdifferent clones was observed within a newlydeveloping reed population. The findings appear tosupport a model of colonization postulating thatpopulations initiated by seeds are initiallygenetically diverse, but over time become dominated byone or a few clones adapted to the prevailing siteconditions. Thus, low genetic diversity seems to bethe result of a natural selection process. Clonaldiversity within a reed population and the type ofclonal distribution are discussed with regard to theirimportance for the reed stand's ability to adapt tochanging site conditions and eventually for itssurvival or die-back. |