Clonal identification by microsatellite loci in sporadic flowering of a dwarf bamboo species, Sasa cernua

Abstract

Dwarf bamboo species are monocarpic. They flower simultaneously and die after several decades. The type of flowering in the genus Sasa ranges from sporadic to gregarious. In order to determine whether or not the sporadic flowering of dwarf bamboo is fixed genetically, we investigated the distribution of clones using eight microsatellite (SSR) loci in a sporadic flowering patch of Sasa cernua Makino, a major dwarf bamboo species found in central Hokkaido. In May 2006, flowering occurred on 60.5% of living culms in a 1600 m(2) patch. We established a 50 x 10 m study plot in this patch and noted 1267 clumps consisting of 2529 living culms. We investigated all 1267 clumps and identified six multilocus genotypes as clones using five variable SSR loci. All flowering clumps belonged to the same clone. On the other hand, non-flowering vegetative clumps were also discovered to be of the same clone. These data suggest that all flowering culms originated from a single clone of a sporadic flowering patch of S. cernua. Clonal analysis for investigation of sporadic flowering of S. cernua revealed that only a portion of a clone flowers and dies instead of the whole clone.

Estimation of outcrossing rates at small-scale flowering sites of the dwarf bamboo species, Sasa cernua

“…Our previous study on small-scale flowering of a dwarf bamboo species, Sasa cernua MAKINO, revealed that the flowering assembly consisted of an identical genet (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009). Makita (1998) indicated in terms of evolutionary trends that sexual regeneration gives rise to inter-genet competition in the habitat and affects the life history processes of dwarf bamboos.…”

“…In terms of sexual reproduction, bamboos and dwarf bamboos are monocarpic (Janzen 1976;Kudoh and Ujiie 1990;Simmonds 1980) and take several decades to flower (Campbell 1985); thus, regeneration by seeds is a rare occurrence. Consequently, they persist for relatively long periods, often exceeding several decades, without any sexual reproduction and dominate the forest floor or once disturbed empty habitats by forming exclusive clonal aggregation (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009;Matsuo et al 2008;Suyama et al 2000). Notably, these previous genetic studies have revealed the existence of genetically variable genets in local populations (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009;Suyama et al 2000), indicating the primary role of sexual reproduction in retaining genetic diversity of dwarf bamboo species.…”

“…Consequently, they persist for relatively long periods, often exceeding several decades, without any sexual reproduction and dominate the forest floor or once disturbed empty habitats by forming exclusive clonal aggregation (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009;Matsuo et al 2008;Suyama et al 2000). Notably, these previous genetic studies have revealed the existence of genetically variable genets in local populations (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009;Suyama et al 2000), indicating the primary role of sexual reproduction in retaining genetic diversity of dwarf bamboo species. In addition, Koyama (2000) noted evidence regarding contribution of seeds to the regeneration process in small-scale flowering of dwarf bamboo species.…”

Eco‐evolutionary dynamics: fluctuations in population growth rate reduce effective population size in chinook salmon

“…Variable age at maturity is also found in many monocarpic plants, such as desert annuals (Venable 2007), Agave spp. (Nobel 1992), and many bamboos (Kitamura and Kawahara 2009). Many invertebrate species with diapausing eggs, such as Daphnia spp.…”

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in Ixeridium dentatum (Asteraceae, Lactuceae)

“…Of these, microsatellites are one of the robust classes of genetic tools, because microsatellite loci are highly polymorphic, codominant, and reproducible, and have recently been widely used (Edwards et al 2008, Kitamura andKawahara 2009).…”