Barriers to genetic connectivity of smooth flatsedge (Cyperus laevigatus) among alkaline-saline lakes of Eastern Rift Valley (Kenya)

摘要: Abstract The saline-alkaline Rift Valley lakes of Kenya are isolated habitats supporting emergent halophytes on the shorelines. Cyperus laevigatus L. (Smooth flatsedge) is common to these endorheic suggesting connectivity over long distances. main objective this study was assess amount and pattern genetic diversity in C. populations wetlands along shorelines Eastern Kenya. clonal, allelic gene diversity, population structure fine-scaled spatial were assessed 204 individuals from nine populations, using thirteen newly developed microsatellites. maintained high levels clonal though with significant within-population inbreeding. No or only restricted local growth few metres could be found most lakes. A revealed sheltered indicating contemporary dispersal repeated seedling recruitment. Significant differentiation isolation-by-distance observed, a stepping-stone model. north south gradient, as pairwise FST, PCoA, Structure Barrier analysis, included barriers between some lakes, Lake Magadi fully separated. Bayesian clustering pool corresponding Great Nakuru-Elementaita basin. Historical hydrological during Holocene well geographical distances proposed major driving forces explaining structure.