Isozyme Variation in Monochoria korsakowii Regel et Maack and M. vaginalis (Burm. f.) Kunth (Pontederiaceae)

Abstract

Isozyme analysis by starch gel electrophoresis was used to quantify the genetic variability within and among Japanese populations of M. korsakowii and M. vaginalis. Ten populations of M. korsakowii and fifty populations of M. vaginalis were investigated. Of the three enzyme systems examined, six loci were identified in the two species. One locus was monomorphic and five loci were polymorphic in M. korsakowii. Two loci were monomorphic and four loci were polymorphic in M. vaginalis (Fig. 1 and Table 5). Genetic variability was larger in M. korsakowii populations than in the M. vaginalis ones. M. korsakowii exhibited a higher total genetic diversity (H_T=0.333) and higher intrapopulational genetic diversity (H_S=0.227) than other outcrossing species reported by Loveless and Hamrick.
It is assumed that factors such as breeding systems and local environmental conditions, individually or together, can affect the degree of genetic variability in populations of M. korsakowii and M. vaginalis.