Keywords
HAWAIIAN EPIPHYTIC FERNS
CONSERVATION
How to Cite
Abstract
Population genetic analyses of four species of epiphytic ferns endemic to Hawaii were conducted to assess the levels and patterns ofgenetic variability within and among populations. The study included both conspecific populations from single islands as well as those from different islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Overall levels ofgenetic variability varied among species but were generally high relative to other plants. Additionally, all populations oftaxa appeared to be highly outcrossed with fixation indices not significantly different from zero. Inspection ofFST values and estimates ofinterisland gene flow (Nm) suggested that populations on different islands are generally not genetically distinct, possibly due to
high levels of interisland gene flow. The abundance and distribution of island-unique alleles, however, revealed varying degrees oflocalized genetic endemism within each species. These data suggest that conspecific populations on different islands are in the early stages ofgenetic divergence, possibly representing incipient speciation. The recognition ofisland-specific genetic endemism within species may be critical for safeguarding the long-term survival and continued evolutionary change of these and other endemic species of Hawaiian organisms.
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