Catching a ride on Interstate 95: assessing gene flow among populations of the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) along the eastern United States

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Title

Catching a ride on Interstate 95: assessing gene flow among populations of the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) along the eastern United States

Identifier

TF2012Hansen

Subjects

["Environmental management","Trees"]

Type

["Text"]

Genre

["Theses"]

Format

["pdf"]

Rights

This thesis or dissertation is restricted from access because there is no internet release form on file. If you are the author and you would like to submit an internet release form allowing us to publish your thesis or dissertation online, please contact spcoll@towson.edu. Copyright protected, all rights reserved.

General Notes

Thesis research directed by Department of Biological Sciences.

Extent

x, 184 pages

Language

["English"]

Repository

["Towson University. Albert S. Cook Library. Special Collections and University Archives"]

Collection Name

["Towson University Graduate Theses and Dissertations"]

Author

Hansen, Matthew S.

Degree Date

2012

Department or Program

["Towson University. Department of Biological Sciences"]

Abstract

We assessed the genetic compositions of 716 individuals of Ailanthus altissima from 30 North American populations spanning ~900km. This was done to identify the influence that a major roadway, Interstate 95 (I-95), may have on population structuring through differing levels of gene flow. Population genetic analyses were conducted using nine microsatellite loci. Populations located along I-95 were composed of fewer genetic units than populations located 100km west of I-95. When viewed as a whole, the populations located along I-95 were associated with high levels of admixture and the limited genetic structuring was partitioned along a latitudinal gradient; however, the non- I-95 populations displayed both discrete and highly admixed genetic structuring when viewed as a whole. There is clear evidence to support increased gene flow among I-95 populations. However, the distribution of this plant as an ornamental along with differential impacts of selection and drift may have contributed to these patterns.

Thesis Committee Members

["Hearn, David J.","Masters, Brian S.","Beauchamp, Vanessa B."]

Date Published

25 February 2013

Author (Controlled)

["Hansen, Matthew S."]

Thesis Advisor

["Roberts, Roland P."]

Degree Note

(M.S.) -- Towson University, 2012.

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