Fine-scale clonal structure and diversity within patches of a clone-forming dioecious shrub, Ilex leucoclada (Aquifoliaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The mode of reproduction (sexual vs. asexual) is likely to have important effects on genetic variation and its spatial distribution within plant populations. An investigation was undertaken of fine-scale clonal structure and diversity within patches of Ilex leucoclada (a clone-forming dioecious shrub). METHODS: Six patches were selected in a 1-ha plot previously established in an old-growth beech forest. Two of the selected patches were composed predominantly of stems with male flowers (male patch), and two contained stems with predominantly female flowers (female patch). The remaining two patches contained stems with male flowers and stems with female flowers in more or less equal proportions (mixed patch). Different genets were distinguished using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. KEY RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six genets with different RAPD phenotypes were identified among 1928 stems from the six patches. Among the six patches, the male patches had the lowest clonal diversity, and the mixed patches had the highest. Distribution maps of the genets showed that they extended downhill, reflecting natural layering that occurred when stems were pressed to the ground by heavy snow. In every patch, there were a few large genets with many stems and many small genets with a few stems. CONCLUSION: The differences in clonal diversity among patches may be due to differences in seedling recruitment frequencies. The skewed distribution of genet size (defined as the number of stems per genet) within patches may be due to differences in the timing of germination, or age (with early-establishing genets having clear advantages for acquiring resources) and/or intraspecific competition.     

Genetic variation within and among patches of the clonal species, Vaccinium stamineum L

Once thought to be dominated by a few genets, clonal plant populations can contain high levels of genetic diversity. Sexual reproduction and vegetative growth strategy affect the amount and distribution of genetic diversity within clonal plant populations. We determined the scale of genetic diversity in a population of Vaccinium stamineum, a clonal shrub that forms discrete patches. Using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, we surveyed the genetic diversity of V. stamineum within and among patches from a 1-ha site. We found 67 unique RAPD profiles among the 99 sampled individuals from 22 patches. In two patches, all the sampled individuals had the same RAPD profile. In seven patches, every individual sampled had a different RAPD profile. The remaining patches showed mixed RAPD profiles which suggested both clonal and sexual reproduction. Each unique RAPD profile was restricted to one patch (with one exception), which suggests that clonal growth occurs at the patch scale. High levels of genetic variation within some patches may be explained by somatic mutation; however, seedling recruitment is a more likely explanation.     

Demographic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses reveal high levels of genetic diversity in a clonal violet

We performed demographic and molecular investigations on woodland populations of the clonal herb Viola riviniana in central Germany. We investigated the pattern of seedling recruitment, the amount of genotypic (clonal) variation and the partitioning of genetic variation among and within populations. Our demographic study was carried out in six violet populations of different ages and habitat conditions. It revealed that repeated seedling recruitment takes place in all of these populations, and that clonal propagation is accompanied by high ramet mortality. Our molecular investigations were performed on a subset of three of these six violet populations. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses using six primers yielded 45 scorable bands that were used to identify multilocus genotypes, i.e. putative clones. Consistent with our demographic results and independent of population age, we found a large genotypic diversity with a mean proportion of distinguishable genotypes of 0.93 and a mean Simpson's diversity index of 0.99. Using AMOVA we found a strong genetic differentiation among these violet populations with a PhiST value of 0.41. We suggest that a high selfing rate, limited gene flow due to short seed dispersal distances and drift due to founder effects are responsible for this pattern. Although Viola riviniana is a clonal plant, traits associated with sexual reproduction rather than clonality per se are moulding the pattern of genetic variation in this species.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Elytrigia pycnantha (Godr.) (Triticeae) in Mont Saint-Michel Bay using microsatellite markers

During the last decade, an invasive wheatgrass species (Elytrigia pycnantha) has colonized the low salt marshes of the Mont Saint Michel Bay resulting in an accelerated change in the vegetation. This study was conducted using microgeographical genetic diversity in order to understand the genetic structure of this invasive and clonal species. Genetic variation and population structure of fifteen populations collected in high and low marsh habitats around the Bay were analyzed using five microsatellite loci. Because E. pycnantha is an allohexaploid, the application of standard genetic diversity statistics was not possible; we chose to summarize genetic diversity using statistics calculated from banding phenotypes. The mean number of alleles per locus was 10.2, the mean number of different alleles per sample was 6.87. The mean number of allelic phenotypes across all populations was 7.21. The mean value of genetic diversity for the species, calculated as the average number of alleles by which pairs of individuals differ, was H's = 1.91 and H't = 2.04. Little genetic differentiation among populations was detected (0.067). The association between pairwise genetic differentiation and geographic distances exhibited no evidence for isolation by distance. A geographical pattern of population differentiation, where a single population GI was clearly separated from the remaining population groups (considered as a metapopulation), was revealed by principal component analysis (PCA), and we propose that this is because GI represents a new genotype.     

Genetic diversity of Picea asperata populations based on RAPDs

The genetic diversity of ten natural populations of Picea asperata Mast. were studied using RAPD markers. A total of 160 reproducible fragments were produced from the ten primers used. The mean number of fragments detected per individual was 114.7. Altogether 120 fragments were polymorphic among the ten populations, none of them were found to be population-specific. Nei's expected heterozygosity (H (e)) ranged from 0.233 to 0.269, and the average was 0.247. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that the coefficient of gene differentiation among populations, based on F (ST) and the unbiased estimate PhiST, equaled 0.224 and 0.290, respectively. Such high values indicate that there is significant differentiation among populations, which could result from several factors, including restricted gene flow between populations (Nm = 0.866). Founder events may be another factor attributing to the high level of genetic differentiation. In addition, it was discovered that the geographic distribution is not correlated with the genetic distances among the populations of P. asperata.     

Population structure and genetic diversity in four tropical tree species in Costa Rica

Despite intensified interest in conservation of tropical forests, knowledge of the population genetics of tropical forest trees remains limited. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) data to evaluate trends in genetic diversity and differentiation for four tropical tree species, Alchornea latifolia, Dendropanax arboreus, Inga thibaudiana and Protium glabrum . These species occur at contrasting population densities along an elevational gradient and we use RAPD and ecological data to examine natural levels of genetic diversity of each species, trends in genetic variability with population density and structure, genetic differentiation along the elevation gradient, and the relationship between genetic diversity and such factors as seed dispersal and pollination syndrome. At the distances we examined (plot distances ranging from 0.8 to 8.6 km) there was very little genetic structuring at any distance along the gradient. All four species exhibited levels of variation expected for spatial distribution, mating system and pollinator syndrome; greater than 96% of the genetic variation occurred within plots for Inga thibaudiana, Protium glabrum and Dendropanax arboreus. Alchornea latifolia only occurred in a single plot. The results of this study contribute to a growing database of genetic diversity data that can be utilized to make predictions about the effect of disturbance and subsequent reductions in population size on genetic variation and structure in tropical tree species.     

内蒙古典型草原羊草种群遗传分化的RAPD分析

运用 RAPD技术对内蒙古典型草原不同生境 8个羊草种群进行分析。采用 2 4个随机引物 (10 nt)在 8个种群中共检测到2 2 4个扩增片断 ,其中多态性片断 173个 ,总的多态位点百分率达 77.2 % ,特异性片断 2 2个 ,占 9.82 % ,平均每个引物扩增的DNA带数为 9.3 3条。利用 Nei指数和 Shannon指数估算了 8个种群的遗传多样性 ,并计算种群相似系数和遗传距离 ,运用UPGMA法进行聚类分析。结果表明 :羊草大部分的遗传变异存在于种群内 ,只有少部分的遗传变异存在于种群间 ,Nei指数和Shannon指数计算结果分别为 85.4%和 66.8% ;羊草不同种群的遗传多样性存在差异 ;8个羊草种群平均遗传距离为 0 .2 3 16,变异范围为 0 .1587～ 0 .2 70 0 ,说明 8个羊草种群间的遗传变异不大 ,即 :在较小地理范围内羊草的遗传分化程度较小 ;8个种群可聚为 3个类群 ,聚类结果显示生境相似的种群能够聚在一起 ,而地理距离最近的种群不一定归为一类 ,说明小范围内羊草种群间的遗传分化与地理距离不存在相关性 ,而与其生境间的相似度相关。影响遗传相似性的不是单一因子而是各种因子的综合作用 ,较小地理范围内羊草种群间的遗传分化主要是由环境的异质性所引起的     

Genetic structure of the annual weed Senecio vulgaris in relation to habitat type and population size

Throughout the world, the highly selfing annual common groundsel, Senecio vulgaris (Asteraceae) is a common weed. Recently, it has also colonized ecological compensation areas in agro-ecosystems. We investigated the genetic structure of S. vulgaris using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles of 80 plants from nine populations representing three habitat types in two regions in Switzerland. RAPD variation among regions (19.8%), among populations within regions (19.2%) and within populations (61.1%) was highly significant (ANOVA; P < 0.001). Gene flow estimated from the observed differentiation among populations (PhiST = 0.382) was low (assuming Wright's island model, Nem = 0.404). Genetic distances between pairs of populations were significantly correlated with geographical distances (Mantel test; r = 0.37, P < 0.03). Molecular variance obtained with AMOVA was lowest in the small populations in compensation areas (1.13), intermediate in vineyard populations (2.49), all located in northern Switzerland and highest in the larger vegetable field populations from western Switzerland (3.41; P < 0.05). Overall, there was a positive correlation of molecular variance and population size (P < 0.05), as expected under genetic drift. However, molecular variance was negatively correlated with population size among populations in ecological compensation areas, suggesting that selection was also important. We also applied triazine herbicide to leaves of three offspring of each of the 80 plants. Plants from populations of compensation areas showed higher mean levels and reduced variation in the resistance to triazine herbicide than plants from vineyards and vegetable fields. This suggests that compensation areas were colonized from adjacent corn fields, in which there has been selection for herbicide resistance. We discuss the implications of our results for the biological control of S. vulgaris.     

准噶尔无叶豆片断化居群的遗传变异及克隆多样性

准噶尔无叶豆(Eremosparton songoricum)是豆科无叶豆属小半灌木, 既能开花结实进行有性繁殖, 又可以靠根茎进行无性克隆繁殖, 为国家三级保护植物, 在中国仅片断化分布于新疆古尔班通古特沙漠局部区域。本文采用ISSR分子标记对采自古尔班通古特沙漠腹地及边缘的7个准噶尔无叶豆自然居群共148个个体进行了遗传变异和克隆多样性分析。8个引物共扩增出84个位点, 其中77个为多态性位点, 物种水平上的多态位点百分比PPB为91.67％, Nei's基因多样性指数I为0.3192, Shannon信息指数H为0.3540; 居群水平上的多态位点百分比PPB为58.45％, Nei's基因多样性指数I为0.2248, Shannon信息指数H为0.3270。居群间的遗传分化系数G_ST为0.2978。AMOVA分析表明, 有31.88%的遗传变异存在于居群间, 表明居群间存在显著的遗传分化。克隆多样性分析表明, 居群水平上, 居群G的Simpson多样性指数和均匀度指数最高, 分别为0.9400和0.9885; 居群E最低, 分别为0.8457和0.9021。物种水平上, Simpson多样性指数为0.9858, 均匀度指数为0.9673。本研究结果表明, 和其他荒漠植物相比, 准噶尔无叶豆表现出较高的遗传变异水平和克隆多样性, 这主要与该物种兼性生殖的繁育方式及多克隆起源有关; 而居群间产生了显著的遗传分化则主要由于人为干扰引起的生境片断化和居群减小而导致的基因交流障碍所致。遗传变异水平和遗传结构的研究将为分析准噶尔无叶豆致濒原因及进化潜力提供重要资料, 对该物种保护具有指导意义。     

Genetic diversity in Hemileia vastatrix based on RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess the genetic structure of Hemileia vastatrix populations. Forty-five rust isolates with different virulence spectra and from different hosts and geographical regions were analyzed. Out of 45 bands, generated with three RAPD primers, 35 (78%) were polymorphic and scored as molecular markers. Cluster analysis exhibits unstructured variability of this pathogen with regard to physiological race, geographical origin or host. The genotypic diversity (H') inferred from Shannon's index was higher than gene diversity (Ht), suggesting that diversity is distributed among clonal lineages. Estimates of gene diversity in Africa and Asia populations were higher in total (Ht) as compared to within population diversity (Hs). Genetic differentiation was considerable among coffee rust isolates from Africa (Gst = 0.865) and Asia (Gst = 0.768) but not among isolates from South America (Gst = 0.266). We concluded that genetic diversity in H. vastatrix was moderately low and that the genetic differentiation among populations shows that asexual reproduction is likely to play an important role in the population biology of this fungus. This should be taken into account for the development of breeding programs.     

Conservation genetics of endangeredBrasenia schreberi based on RAPD and AFLP markers

Brasenia schreberi J.F. Gmelin is a declared endangered species found in the lakes and ponds of South Korea. For planning its conservation strategy, we examined the genetic diversity within and among six populations, using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Polymorphisms were more frequently detected per loci with AFLP (69.3%) than RAPD (36.8%). High genetic diversity was recognized within populations: polymorphic loci (PPL) values ranged from 36.3% in the CJM population to 74.5% in the GGT population, with a mean value of 47.8% based on AFLP markers. Great genetic differentiation (θ^B) was detected among the six populations (0.670 on RAPD and 0.196 on AFLP), and we calculated a low rate of gene flow (N_em), i.e., 0.116 on RAPD and 0.977 on AFLP. Furthermore, a Mantel test revealed that no correlation existed between genetic distances and geographical distances among the six local populations, based on RAPD or AFLP markers. These results are attributed to a number of factors, including an insufficient length of time for genetic diversity to be reduced following a natural decline in population size and isolation, adaptation of the genetic system to small population conditions, and a restricted gene flow rate. Based on both its genetic diversity and population structure, we suggest that a strategy for conserving and restoringB. schreberi must focus on maintaining historical processes, such as high levels of outbreeding, while monitoring increased gene flow among populations. This is because a reduction in genetic diversity as a result of genetic drift is undesirable.     

Analysis of population clonal diversity using microsatellite markers in the salt marsh sedge Carex scabrifolia in western Japan

Carex scabrifolia, a perennial herb that commonly grows on sandbars in lagoons and tidal estuaries, is threatened by habitat reduction in some areas of Japan. Clonal diversity and the extent of gene flow among ten populations located along the Seto Inland Sea and the Japan Sea in western Japan were examined using six microsatellite loci. From 299 samples, we detected 77 multilocus genotypes. The mean number of alleles per population was 2.8 and the mean clonal diversity was 0.23. Many populations consisted of small patches, and the mean number of genets per patch was 2.0. The average number of alleles per locus and clonal diversity were positively correlated with the number of patches within a watershed. Gene flow was detected between the Ichikawa River and the Ohta River populations along the Seto Inland Sea, and weak differentiation among populations located along the Seto Inland Sea was observed. Our results suggest that effective conservation of C. scabrifolia populations should include maintaining all patches within a watershed regardless of population size, thus promoting genotype preservation.     

濒危灌木长叶红砂遗传多样性的RAPD分析

应用RAPD分子标记对濒危灌木长叶红砂(Reaumuria trigyna)种群遗传多样性进行了分析.应用18条随机引物对长叶红砂5个种群的95个个体进行扩增,检测到118个位点,其中多态位点105个.结果表明:长叶红砂种群的多态位点比率(P)为88.98%,显示出长叶红砂种群存在较高的遗传多样性.Shannon多样性指数(0.4966)、Nei基因多样性指数(0.3303)和基因分化系数(Gst=0.1425)的分析结果显示,长叶红砂种群遗传变异大多存在于种群内,种群间的遗传分化占14.25%.聚类分析表明,长叶红砂种群遗传距离与地理距离之间无直接相关关系.遗传多样性水平与物种特性和所处不同群落有关,濒危植物并不一定表现为遗传变异水平的降低.     

Genetic variation in natural populations of Capparis from Turkey, as revealed by RAPD analysis

In this study, the genetic diversity of 15 Turkish natural Capparis populations was screened using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD) technique. Ten RAPD primers produced 98 loci, 73 of which were polymorphic. The binary RAPD data were computed using the POPGENE (version 1.31), a genetic data analysis software program. According to genetic diversity analysis at locus level, the total genetic diversity (H _T) and genetic diversity within population (H _s) were detected as 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. The genetic differentiation (G _ST) and gene flow (N _m) between populations were observed as 0.22 and 1.79, respectively. The mean number of allele per locus (n _a), the mean number of effective allele (n _ea), and the mean value of genetic diversity (H _e) were determined as 2, 1.20, and 0.16, respectively. According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, the mean number of allele had a strong negative correlation with wind and a strong positive correlation with rain. According to multiple regression analysis, eco-geographical factors had a significant effect on the mean number of allele, the mean number of effective allele, and the mean value of genetic diversity. The principal component analysis revealed 87.42 % of total genetic variation. The principal coordinate analysis displayed the separation of population according to genetic distances based on dissimilarities matrix values on a scattered plot graph. Five different varieties, Capparis spinosa L. var. spinosa, var aegyptia and var. canescens, and Capparis ovata Desf. var. palaestina, and var. herbacea were identified in this study. Intermediate forms of plants were observed among the specimens.     

Population genetic diversity of the clonal plant Geum reptans (Rosaceae) in the Swiss Alps

In the alpine landscape most plant populations are spatially isolated due to extreme patchiness and strong natural fragmentation. We used RAPD-PCR (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction) for a study of the genetic diversity within and among 20 populations of Geum reptans, an outcrossing clonal plant species in the Swiss Alps. Populations were sampled at different altitudes, in early-, medium- and late-successional habitats (population origin) using a spatially hierarchical design, with distances among populations ranging from 0.2 to 208 km. Seed and pollen dispersibility was estimated by direct measurements. Seed dispersibility by wind was low with only 0.015% of the seeds flying over 100 m. Observed pollen flow was even more restricted. Molecular diversity within populations was irrespective of population origin (H(e) = 0.22 ± 0.004) and similar to the average of other RAPD studies. Contrary to our expectation, populations were only moderately differentiated (G(st) = 0.14). However, there was a clear spatial genetic structure and a positive relationship between pairwise genetic and geographic distances. Our results indicate considerable gene flow among populations within the same regional area, and we found no indication for genetic depletion during succession or in peripheral habitats. We conclude that, despite the high natural fragmentation and the importance of vegetative reproduction in this alpine plant, gene flow and repeated seedling recruitment during succession might be more frequent than commonly suggested.     

Intra-specific genetic diversity in wild olives (Olea europaea ssp cuspidata) in Hormozgan Province, Iran

Wild olive (O. europaea ssp cuspidata) plants grow in various regions of Iran and are expected to have considerable genetic diversity due to adaptation to the various environmental conditions. We examined the genetic diversity of four populations of wild olive growing in Hormozgan Province located in southern Iran by using 30 RAPDs and 10 ISSR markers. The mean value of polymorphism for RAPD loci was 73.71%, while the value for ISSR loci was 81.74%. The Keshar population had the highest value of intra-population polymorphism for both RAPD and ISSR loci (66.86 and 62.71%, respectively), while the Tudar population had the lowest values (20.35 and 28.81%, respectively). Similarly, the highest and lowest number of effective alleles, Shannon index and Nei's genetic diversity were also found for these two populations. The highest value of H(pop)/H(sp) within population genetic diversity for RAPD and ISSR loci was found for the Keshar population (H(pop) = 0.85 and H(sp) = 0.90). OPA04-750, OPA13-650 and OPA02-350 RAPD bands were specific for Tudar, Bondon and Keshar populations, respectively, while no specific ISSR bands were observed. Analysis of molecular variance as well as the pairwise F(ST) test showed significant differences for RAPD and ISSR markers among the populations. The NJ and UPGMA trees also separated the wild olive populations from each other, indicating their genetic distinctness. UPGMA clustering of the four wild olive populations placed the Tudar population far from the other populations; Keshar and Bokhoon population samples revealed more similarity and were grouped together. We conclude that there is high genetic diversity among O. europaea ssp cuspidata populations located in southern Iran. We also found RAPD and ISSR markers to be useful molecular tools to discriminate and evaluate genetic variations in wild olive trees.     

贺兰山丁香自然居群克隆生长格局及遗传多样性的ISSR分析

运用ISSR分子标记技术,通过制定挖掘采样、"+"形采样及"垂直"采样3种采样方案,对贺兰山丁香(Syringa pinnatifolia var.alanshanica)不同居群的克隆多样性、克隆生长格局及其遗传多样性进行了分析.克隆多样性分析表明:挖掘采样方式采到的3个克隆系内,各自所包含的单株间具有完全相同的基因型;"垂直"采样及"+"形采样的7个居群、 239个样品表现出136个不同的基因型或克隆,显示贺兰山丁香具有较高的克隆多样性(D=0.994)及基因型分布均匀性(E=0.985).克隆生长空间格局分析表明,贺兰山丁香为密集型克隆植物.每个居群都由多克隆组成,克隆生长只发生在同一丛内,多数基株只含有1个分株,最多可达8个.物种水平上的平均克隆大小(N_C)和平均基因型比例(PD)分别为1.757和0.569.对贺兰山丁香遗传多样性分析的结果显示,在居群水平和物种水平上都保持着较高的遗传多样性,其遗传变异主要存在于居群内;但居群间分化程度较低(G_ST=0.320),表明自然居群间基因交流有限.     

具混合繁殖策略的草本植物异果舞花姜的居群遗传结构

 居群遗传结构的形成受到各种因素的影响。其中, 繁殖方式可能对居群内遗传变异有极其重要的意义, 而距离隔离也是居群间变异产 生的主要原因之一。异果舞花姜(Globba racemosa)具有混合繁殖策略(以种子进行有性繁殖和以珠芽进行无性克隆繁殖)。调查分布于云南的7 个异果舞花姜居群间有性与无性克隆繁殖的差异。采用ISSR标记研究各个居群的遗传多样性与克隆多样性, 探讨繁殖方式和距离隔离对居群遗 传结构的影响。调查结果表明, 异果舞花姜各个居群存在一定的繁殖差异。ISSR结果显示, 该种在种水平上呈现较高水平的遗传变异 (PPB=71.19%), 大部分的变异来自于居群间(G_ST = 0.590 7)。同时, 异果舞花姜具有较高水平克隆多样性(G/N = 0.88)。遗传多样性和克隆多 样性与繁殖水平的变异间相关性不明显, 说明繁殖方式不是居群遗传结构形成的必要和决定性的因素。居群间的地理距离与遗传距离显著相关 (r = 0.68, p < 0.05), 表明距离隔离是居群间遗传变异形成的重要原因。其它因素(如少量新有性个体的补充、细胞突变、奠基效应等)也对 异果舞花姜居群遗传结构的形成和维持起到了重要作用。     

Genetic structure within a Japanese stone pine (Pinus pumila regel) population on Mt. Aino-dake in central Honshu, Japan

In previous investigations, natural layering of Japanese stone pine (Pinus pumila) was suggested by the occurrence of adventitious roots. However, there is no genetic evidence so far that this species actually produces offspring by natural layering. We, therefore, investigated clonal structure and spatial genetic structure within a 38×18 m plot on Mt. Aino-dake, using allozyme, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses. We found 24 genets, with stems found to be genetically identical in multiple tests, which extended later-ally against the direction of the slope, indicating that there were clonal structures originating from elongation of ramified stems and subsequent natural layering. The results suggest, however, that less than one third of the 200 stems analyzed from this site were clonaly propagated. We also analyzed spatial genetic structure by spatial autocorrelation. Many of the spatial autocorrelation coefficients were significantly positive in short distance classes. We concluded that the species has genetic structures which largely originate from clonal propagation and avian seed dispersal.     

Clonality in the Endangered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ambrosia pumila</Emphasis> (Asteraceae) Inferred from RAPD Markers; Implications for Conservation and Management

Clonal plants have the ability to spread and survive over long periods of time by vegetative growth. For endangered species, the occurrence of clonality can have significant impacts on levels of genetic diversity, population structure, recruitment, and the implementation of appropriate conservation strategies. Here we␣examine clone structure in three populations of Ambrosia pumila (Nutt.) Gray (Asteraceae), a federally endangered clonal species from southern California. Ambrosia pumila is a perennial herbaceous species spreading from a rhizome, and is frequently found in dense patches of several hundred stems in a few square meters. The primary habitat for this species is upper terraces of rivers and drainages in areas that have been heavily impacted by anthropogenic disturbances and changing flood regimes. RAPD markers were employed to document the number and distribution of clones within multiple 0.25 m² plots from each of three populations. Thirty-one multi-locus genotypes were identified from the 201 stems sampled. The spatial distribution of clones was limited with no genotypes shared between plots or populations. Mean clone size was estimated at 9.10 ramets per genet. Genets in most plots were intermingled, conforming to a guerrilla growth form. The maximum genet spread was 0.59 m suggesting that genets can be larger than the sampled 0.25 m² plots. Spatial autocorrelation analysis found a lack of spatial genetic structure at short distances and significant structure at large distances within populations. Due to the occurrence of multiple genets within each population, the limited spread of genets, and a localized genetic structure, conservation activities should focus on the maintenance of multiple populations throughout the species range.