Clonality strongly affects the spatial genetic structure of the nurse species Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Griseb. (Bromeliaceae)

摘要: Aechmea nudicaulis is a clonal bromeliad common to the Brazilian Atlantic forest complex and found abundantly in sandy coastal plain vegetation (restinga) on north coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. This restinga site structured islands, species plays key role as nurse plant, much favoured by its clonality. We studied structure consequences clonality population spatial genetic (SGS) this using six nuclear microsatellites. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed study effects sexual reproduction dispersal A. nudicaulis. Analyses were at genet (i.e. excluding repeats) ramet levels. Genotypic richness moderate (R = 0.32), mostly result dominance few clones. The distribution genets moderately intermingled, mean clone size 4.9 fragments per maximum spread 25 m. Expected heterozygosities high comparable with those other plants. SGS analyses level revealed significantly restricted gene (Sp = 0.074), strong compared herbaceous species. subrange extended across 23 m where had significant effect SGS. pattern A. nudicaulis, coupled levels diversity, indicated recruitment windows opportunity (RWO) strategy. Moreover, variation habitat occupation A. nudicaulis dependent not only intrinsic biological traits (such spacer mating system), but also biotic interactions neighbouring that determined suitable habitats for germination establishment new genets. © 2015 Linnean Society London, Botanical Journal Society, 2015, 178, 329–342.