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The occurrence and distribution of clonality in the endangered rainforest tree Elaeocarpus williamsianus (Elaeocarpaceae) was investigated using SSR and RAPD analyses for 170 apparent individual trees found across seven sites. The results obtained with the two molecular techniques were in complete agreement in showing that single clones are present in most of the E. williamsianus sites with two genets occurring at the largest and most adequately protected site. In addition, seed production, viability and germinability were determined for four of these populations. Fruit were produced in all four populations tested although sterile fruit were very common. Only two E. williamsianus trees representing different genets within the same site produced viable seed. The overall genetic diversity within E. williamsianus is much lower than expected and thus the potential for sexual reproduction has been significantly diminished. It is concluded that habitat fragmentation removed an existing balance between vegetative and sexual reproduction in this species. Such findings have added urgency to the management of this species which could include a reintroduction program incorporating the collation of all clones within selected sites.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Genetics
Research Field:	Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics
Objective Division:	Environment
Objective Group:	Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Objective Field:	Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
UTAS Author:	Jones, R (Dr Rebecca Jones)
ID Code:	72444
Year Published:	2004
Web of Science® Times Cited:	45
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2011-08-26
Last Modified:	2011-09-08
Downloads:	0