The Open Evolution Journal

2008, 2 : 31-40
Published online 2008 May 23. DOI: 10.2174/1874404400802010031
Publisher ID: TOEVOLJ-2-31

Interpolating Genetic Variation in Natural Populations: A Case Study of Plains Rough Fescue (Festuca hallii)

Yong-Bi Fu , Jie Qiu and John F. Wilmshurst
Plant Gene Resources of Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X2, Canada.

ABSTRACT

Characterization of individual genetic variation within a plant population is an important component of plant conservation and evolutionary genetics. Here we present a marker-based approach to interpolating individual genetic information from a sample of plants to the whole population. The effectiveness of the approach was demonstrated by applying AFLP markers to estimate genetic distinctiveness from a sample of Festuca hallii (Vassey) Piper plants in six populations across the Canadian Prairies and proposing a linear interpolation to map the estimated genetic distinctiveness within each population. The interpolation was empirically verified for its effectiveness in one fescue population. Issues associated with and potential utility of the proposed interpolation are discussed.

Keywords:

Genetic interpolation, genetic variation, genetic distinctiveness, plains rough fescue, AFLP, spatial genetics.