Detecting Genetic Evidence of Sexual Reproduction Sexual and Asexual Populations

The correspondence between genetic diversity and modes of reproduction (sexual and asexual) will be investigated using the bryophyte Marchantia inflexa. Individuals in this species as male or female, and populations can contain both sexes (bisexual) or a single sex unisexual) . Compared to unisexual populations, bisexual populations are predicted to have levels of genetic variation due to sexual recombination. However. such comparisons have been done on any bryophyte species. We will use microsatellite loci. that are known to be polymorphic. to detect levels of genetic variation among individuals in three bisexual and three unisexual populations. Analysis of this genetic information will 1) reveal the overall genetic variation among plants within these two types of populations, 2) will provide evidence of population differentiation and 3) recombination. The significance of this study is that it tests predictions of the differences between sexual and asexual populations that have not yet addressed in a plant system with unisexual populations.