Abstract Detail

Systematics

Tippery, Nicholas [1], Olson, Alyssa [2], Wendtlandt, Jenni [2], Peters, Emily [2], Boeck, Jenna [2], Sabol, Morgan [2], Kofron, Noah [2], Topol, Colin [2].

Molecular characterization of three giant knotweed species in Wisconsin using plastid (matK) and nuclear (LEAFY) sequence data (genus Reynoutria, Polygonaceae).

Knotweeds in the genus Reynoutria are native to eastern Asia, but they have become troublesome invasive weeds in other parts of the world. Two species grow in North America: the Japanese knotweed (R. japonica) and giant knotweed (R. sachalinensis), as well as a hybrid known as Bohemian knotweed (R. × bohemica). The separate species may have different ecological tolerances, competitive strengths, or susceptibilities to herbicides or biocontrol agents, and therefore it is important to identify them correctly. Because of the close relationships among invasive knotweeds and their propensity to hybridize, identification using molecular methods is particularly useful. To date, molecular data on invasive knotweeds are relatively sparse, with hardly any published sequences for nuclear genes. We investigated the DNA sequence diversity of Reynoutria plants in Wisconsin using the plastid matK gene and the nuclear LEAFY gene. Two distinct kinds of matK sequences were able to identify plastid lines of inheritance from R. japonica and R. sachalinensis, respectively. In addition, we discovered two or three kinds of LEAFY gene sequence in each plant, supporting previous evidence that Reynoutria species are polyploid. Two kinds of LEAFY sequences were attributable to R. sachalinensis and four kinds were attributable to R. japonica. A small number of sampled plants contained DNA from only one species, whereas the majority of plants were identified as hybrids. In total, five different hybrid genotypes were recovered, supporting prior evidence that Reynoutria plants have undergone extensive interbreeding in their adventive range. Our novel evidence from the LEAFY gene will become a useful tool for identifying species and hybrids across North America.

1 - University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Department Of Biological Sciences, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI, 53190, United States
2 - University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Upham Hall, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI, 53190, United States

Keywords:
knotweed
invasive plants
plant identification
hybridization.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYSTIV, Systematics IV: Eurosids & Basal Asterids
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 3:45 PM(EDT)
Number: SYSTIV004
Abstract ID:389
Candidate for Awards:None