CALIE, P.J.1*, N. SELTSAM1, A.T. DENHAM1, and B.A. FORD2. 1Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY; 2Department of Botany, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2. - Genetic diversity present in the restricted endemic Solidago shortii (Asteraceae).
Short’s goldenrod (Solidago shortii) is known from a single locality
in northern Kentucky, and at present consists of 12 separate
populations scattered over a 2.2 km2 area. At present the species is
listed as Rare and Endangered in the Federal Register. The species is
an outcrossing clonal perennial, inhabiting a variety of habitats
(e.g. cedar glades, rock outcrops, fallow pastures) and exhibiting a
wide range of morphological variation, as determined by previous
morphometric analysis. Several populations have been either recently
extirpated or are experiencing significant declines in numbers of
individuals, To assess variability at the genetic level, a total of 85
individuals from 9 populations were sampled for the following
allozymes: ADH-1, ADH-2, MDH-1, EST-1, EST-2, IDH-1, SOD-1, and ME-1.
All loci surveyed exhibited varying levels of polymorphism. The least
variable locus was malic enzyme (only 2 alleles); the most polymorphic
was ADH-2. Varying levels of heterozygosity are observed within
different populations for different loci. Solidago shortii is known to
be self-incompatible. Therefore, our findings indicate that
populations are highly differentiated suggesting restricted gene flow
between populations. The genetic uniqueness of each population
underscores the need to conserve all populations of this species.
Key words: Solidago shortii , Asteraceae, endangered species, isozymes