Allozyme Variation within and between Populations of Coreopsis latifolia (Asteraceae)

Abstract Enzyme electrophoresis was used to measure genetic variation in five populations of the rare diploid species Coreopsis latifolia which appears to be a relict taxon endemic to a small area of the southeastern United States. Gene diversity within the species as a whole is low compared to other species with similar ecological and life history traits. Also, gene diversity in C. latifolia is lower than nearly all other species of Coreopsis that have been examined. Larger populations contain significantly more variation at isozyme loci than do smaller populations. Populations of C. latifolia are deficient in heterozygotes relative to expected equilibrium values.