Persistence in a fragmented habitat: genetic diversity and pollination patterns in <i>Asclepias viridiflora</i>
We found little evidence for population structure or reduced genetic variability across scattered clusters of Asclepias viridiflora within our study area. Occasional long-distance pollination events, which we identified, may be sufficient to maintain reproductive connectivity over substantial areas despite severe habitat fragmentation. Our findings suggest that even small, spatially isolated clusters of plants may not be reproductively isolated and may contribute to the persistence of fragmented plant populations.
Authors
- Mary V. Ashley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1755-7043)
- Stuart Wagenius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0655-0823)
- J. Dylan Maddox (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6371-1083)
- Jared J Beck
- Dathan P Maton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8976-3902)
Institutions
- Northwestern University (US)
- University of Wisconsin System (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Center for Plant Conservation (US)
- Field Museum of Natural History (US)
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- University of Chicago (US)
- Chicago Botanic Garden
Publication Details
- Journal
- Annals of Botany
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaf287
- Primary Topic
- Plant and animal studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00