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a Dep. of Horticulture, Univ. of WisconsinMadison, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
b USDA-ARS, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Station, 4312 Hwy. 42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
* Corresponding author (adelrioc{at}wisc.edu).
| ABSTRACT |
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Abbreviations: GD, genetic distance GR, genetic rarity NRSP-6, Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Station RAPD, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA
| INTRODUCTION |
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The advent of DNA markers has provided the power to make objective, quantitative conclusions about the partitioning of genetic diversity (Link et al., 1995). Thus, there is the potential to test for trends in genetic variation along ecogeographic clines within species to identify parameters that predict "hot spots" of diversity (Schoen and Brown, 1991). Such information could have a significant economic impact on genebanks by allowing maximum collection of genetic diversity with the minimum number of samples and expense.
The use of DNA markers to study the association of genetics with geography is complicated by the very complex patterns in the distribution of genetic variation exhibited by plant species (Cobb et al., 1994; del Rio et al., 2001; Fahima et al., 1999; Gallois et al., 1998; Hamrick, 1987; Mitton et al., 1998), necessitating the use of multifaceted analyses. Hawkes (1971) and Yonezawa and Ichihashi (1989) suggested that information from ecology, population biology, genetics, and/or reproductive biology must be obtained to gain a better understanding of the geneticgeographical patterns. Greene et al. (1999a)(1999b) demonstrated that geographic information coupled with geographic information systems (GIS) analysis could increase the precision of sampling protocols in ecogeographically diverse sites. Their technique allows determination of information such as site uniqueness relative to other sites sampled, likelihood that an accession reflects adaptation to the site, and uniqueness of a given accession relative to other accessions of the same taxon collected.
With nearly 200 different species distributed in the Americas from the USA to southern South America (Hijmans and Spooner, 2001), potato species are good plant models for studying the association of genetics and geography. They have a wide range of ecological niches, as well as geographical distributions, and exhibit different genetic characteristics that have strong effects on the organization of diversity (Loveless and Hamrick, 1984): disomic vs. polysomic polyploidy, selfing, outcrossing, and asexual reproduction by tubers. Previous studies have looked for links between ecogeographic parameters and specific traits within potato species. Significant associations have been found between altitude and frost killing temperature in S. acaule Bitter as well as altitude and resistance to potato leafhopper and glycoalkaloid content in S. chacoense Bitter (Hijmans et al., 2003). Spooner et al. (1995) reported a significant correlation between general DNA marker differences and geographic separation for populations within species in the series Etuberosa, a group of highly inbreeding taxa. Previously, we attempted to associate general DNA marker variation within species with ecogeographical differences by evaluating 124 wild potato accessions with different geographical origins (del Rio et al., 2001; del Rio and Bamberg, 2002) and different breeding systems: S. fendleri (a disomic polyploid selfer), S. jamesii (a diploid outcrosser) and S. sucrense (a polysomic polyploid outcrosser). In each case, it was concluded that no significant link exists between the genetic and ecogeographic variables tested. Even physical separation, a common criterion for selection of collection sites in explorations, did not predict genetic distance. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to expand those previous studies by examining a fourth type of breeding system: an inbred diploid, modeled by S. verrucosum from Mexico to assess whether genetic distance between accessions is predicted by differences in geographic parameters.
| MATERIALS AND METHODS |
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The average physical separation of each accession from all others was calculated and then correlated with its GR. For the other geographic parameters, the real, un-compared value associated with a given accession (i.e., not differences or averages) was tested for correlation with GR. For example, a high positive correlation between GR and altitude would mean that greater GR is associated with higher altitude. GR of each S. verrucosum was also compared to its proximity to the nearest known population of certain other potato species observed to be close to or overlap with that of S. verrucosum. Geographic data already extant in NRSP-6 databases were used for all calculations. Because effects could be obscured by considering the entire set of populations, Principal Component (PC) Analysis (Jolliffe, 2002) was done to identify genetic clusters of populations that could then be independently compared with geographic parameters. PC analysis was calculated by the NTSYS-pc program (Rohlf, 2002).
Variables compared to genetic data were latitude, longitude, altitude, and physical separationthe most basic location-based information recorded by germplasm collectors. These parameters are routinely used by genebanks to determine the geographical representation of the ex situ collection. Reliance on these parameters represents the reasonable assumption that collections relatively close together probably share a similar environment, and that those located farther from each other have limited potential for genetic exchange. The observation that these S. verrucosum accessions originated from the same (or nearly the same) locations as other wild potato species (S. demissum, S. hjertingii, S. hougasii) prompted the inclusion of physical separation from the nearest known site for other species as a additional parameter associated with each S. verrucosum accession. The locations of the nearest reported accessions of other species was determined from genebank germplasm records (Huaman et al., 2000) and herbarium specimen records (as in Hijmans et al., 2002).
| RESULTS |
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The PC analysis (Fig. 2) revealed clusters with an apparent correspondence to the physical distribution map. These were a "North" cluster of five populations, a "Southeast" cluster of three populations, and a "South" cluster of the remaining 19 populations. Table 1 designates the members of these clusters. As shown in Table 2, average GD of pairs within the North and South clusters were about equal at 14%, but populations within the South cluster were more similar to each other at about 9%. Comparisons between the North and Southeast cluster indicated that populations in these two areas are most different. Considering all populations and clusters, the most rare populations are found in the Southeast cluster (average GD to all = 17.4%), followed by the North cluster (17.1%), and the South cluster (11.0%).
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| DISCUSSION |
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In harmony with the overall effects noted in Table 3, the geographic regions from which the North and Southeast cluster originate would be expected to be the richest sources for collecting additional diversity (Table 2). Proximity to S. demissum has the strongest association of any parameter with respect to the South cluster populations (-0.67) (Table 3). This means the closer a population is to S. demissum, the greater its GR. Note too that the Southeast cluster members are all very close to S. demissum and have high GR. These observations support the idea that the relative distinction of proximal S. verrucosum populations in the South cluster may be due to more intense introgression from S. demissum. A hypothesis of rarity due to introgression is not contradicted by the observation that proximity to S. hougasii is associated with lower GR. Ten of the 19 South cluster populations are found at the same location as a known S. hougasii population. If there were interspecific geneflow to S. verrucosum from S. hougasii at each of these sites, the net effect would be to make these populations more common, in contrast to the effect of S. demissum where only 5 of the 19 populations are sympatric with it. Proximity to S. hjertingii is very strongly associated with GR considering all populations because the members of the North cluster are all much closer to S. hjertingii, and this cluster has a high average GR. While only one member of the North cluster is sympatric with S. hjertingii per se, this population had a higher GR than any other in the North (or anywhere else).
This research sought to detect associations between site-of-origin variables and genetics of accessions of one wild potato species. The ability to do so depends on several factors. Specifically, clear associations may be enhanced by (i) accurate and precise records of geographic coordinates, altitude, etc.; (ii) genetic uniformity of multiple accessions sampled from the same site; (iii) stability of genetic results from a single seed sample from the genebank; (iv) genebank seedlots (the materials tested) that are representative of the in situ population; (v) reliable taxonomy; and (vi) the best choice of parameters characterizing the origin site and genetics of the accessions. These considerations are addressed below with respect to the observed results.
Accurate Records
This analysis did not include the on-site gathering of any geographic data, but depended on existing genebank records. In practice, the choice of materials and variables often are dictated by the existence, precision, and accuracy of site data. We assume reliability of the basic geographic variables for the accessions tested here. This experiment must be interpretedand was intendednot only to test whether true geographic data predicts germplasm genetics, but rather whether there is a practical opportunity for genebanks to profitably use the imperfect and incomplete data already available.
Genetic Uniformity in Samples from Very Close Collection Sites
If large genetic distances are observed between accessions collected at a single site (identical geographical site characteristics), there is obviously little hope of associating site parameters with GD. This corresponds to the statistical principle of a large experimental error reducing the possible resolution of treatment means. Some previous research has demonstrated that genetic similarity is closely associated with geographical proximity in other plant species (Francisco-Ortega et al., 1993; Hormaza et al., 1994). However, most studies have revealed otherwise (del Rio et al., 2001; del Rio and Bamberg, 2002; Fahima et al., 1999; Gallois et al., 1998; McGregor et al., 2002). Failure to find closer genetic similarities between proximal populations has been pointed out as the likely weak link frustrating detection of an association between geographic data and genetics (del Rio and Bamberg, 2002). This was not true for S. verrucosum. The average GD of accessions from a single site was nearly half that of all pairs of accessions in the study, but only 1/6 of the maximum GD of accessions from different sites. These differences apparently were sufficient to allow significant correlations. Solanum verrucosum accessions from the same collection site averaged a GD of only 5.4% (in contrast to similar studies of accessions of S. fendleri (17%), S. jamesii (16%, del Rio et al., 2001), and S. sucrense (27%, del Rio and Bamberg, 2002).
Intrapopulation homogeneity also increases the chance of stable samples from a single site. If a population is heterogeneous, there is a chance that particular genotypes presented for sampling will differ depending on the particular growing conditions at the time of collection. But when populations are homogeneous, any sample size, pattern, or timing will result in a stable, representative sample. The within-accession uniformity and among-accession distinctions needed to reveal significant correlations may have been promoted by the breeding behavior of S. verrucosum. Inbreeding greatly reduces gene flow and genetic recombination, and maintains linkage disequilibrium. Thus, genetic diversity is reduced within populations, but increased between populations (Loveless and Hamrick, 1984). Although inbreeders may vary more than outcrossers in their among-population heterogeneity (Schoen and Brown, 1991), small niches with a high level of selective pressure (as may be common for wild potato habitats) will select only the genotype genetically tailored to have the exceptional fitness needed to survive. del Rio and Bamberg (2001) confirmed the suspected low heterogeneity within accessions of S. verrucosum compared with other species (S. fendleri, S. sucrense, and S. jamesii) that showed no significant correlations with ecogeographic parameters (del Rio et al., 2001; del Rio and Bamberg, 2002).
Stability of Results from a Single Accession Sample
Variation in the genetic data from a single seedlot from the genebank could result from technical errors in the RAPD protocol (different PCR or scoring results from the same DNA), or different DNA because too-small bulks were taken of seedlots with large intra-accession heterogeneity. These were not a problem in this experiment. The almost perfect fidelity in reproducing the same DNA fragments in separate bulk samples of 27 plants confirms that the sampling method could reliably identify the genetic profile of each accession, and was similar to results obtained in other potato species using the same methods (del Rio and Bamberg, 1998; del Rio and Bamberg, 2000a).
Test Samples Representative of In Situ Populations
Samples tested could be uniform, but still not representative of the genetics of the in situ population or the geographic parameters of the site. Recall that the plants tested were not obtained directly from the wild, but were sexual progeny generated in the genebank from original collections. It is therefore possible that inadvertent selection or drift during genebank preservation made the tested ex situ sample different from the in situ population. Recent evidence, however, suggests that regeneration in the genebank does not significantly alter the population genetic structure, whether the parental material originated in the genebank or in the wild (del Rio et al. (1997) and del Rio and Bamberg, 2000b; respectively). The apparent relative uniformity of S. verrucosum is here again a possible advantage, since there is no hazard of accidental selection in the genebank if genetic variation is absent.
Taxonomy and Introgression
This study was designed with the assumption that the species name S. verrucosum designates a distinct genetic group. Excluded, for example, were accessions of S. macropilosum Corr., a diploid species that perhaps should be considered an unusual form of S. verrucosum (Hawkes, 1990). Obviously, the practical value of characterizing diversity within a species rests on the validity of the assumption that accessions have been grouped into species designations that partition genetic diversity at a more basic level.
Correlations between GD and proximity to other species were sometimes quite high. Is this relationship causal or coincidental? Although these other species are polyploids that would not be expected to easily exchange genes with S. verrucosum, the possibility of introgression has important implications. If, for example, the high GR of S. verrucosum accessions near S. hjertingii is due to introgression from the latter, those high GR accessions are actually not of particular genetic value, because the genes that distinguish those S. verrucosum accessions are likely common in the samples of S. hjertingii in the genebank. Proximity to S. demissum and S. hougasii were both significantly correlated with GD and GR. Whether these significant associations with proximity to other species are due to introgression or simply coincidental with the significant effects of latitude and longitude cannot be determined until the genetics of the relatively unusual S. verrucosum populations is compared with that of the associated species.
Best Choice of Geographical Parameters
The parameters presented in Table 3 are obviously related. Physical separation depends on differences in latitude and longitude. Proximity to other species is also confounded with geographic variables. For example, S. hjertingii occurs only in the extreme northeast and S. hougasii only in the extreme southwest of the S. verrucosum range (Fig. 1). Searching for the parameters or combinations of parameters that have the highest correlations with genetics not only has practical application for collecting additional diversity efficiently, but also may provide clues to the underlying causes for diversity. For example, does the pattern of diversity indicate adaptation to similar environments, dispersion from a single origin, or introgression from other species?
Genetic measurements must correspond to phenotypes and/or true relatedness by descent, and have sufficient variation. RAPD markers have been shown to verify taxonomic groupings in potato based on morphology, and otherwise coincide with known genetic relationships (del Rio and Bamberg, 2000a; Quiros et al., 1993), especially for comparisons within species (Spooner et al., 1995). The variation in the RAPD bands used here was apparently sufficient to allow significant correlations, despite the fact that the range of variation in GD among the S. verrucosum accessions was relatively small (029%) when compared with the other species for which no correlations were significant: S. fendleri (060%), S. jamesii (140%) (del Rio et al., 2001), and S. sucrense (844%) (del Rio and Bamberg, 2002).
In conclusion, we found ecogeographical associations with S. verrucosum for the first time, possibly because the inbred and uniform nature of this species improved resolution both in the experimental method and in the genetics of the natural populations themselves. Three genetic clusters could be identified that correspond to physical groups in the North, South, and Southeast locations of the range. This information could be used to enrich the capture of genetic diversity in future collections. However, genetic rarity was also associated with proximity to other potato species. If introgression is the cause of this association, one might make the mistake of pursuing collection of alleles that, while rare in S. verrucosum, are already common in the genebank in other species.
| ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
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| NOTES |
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Received for publication April 23, 2003.
| REFERENCES |
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