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Investigating the population genetics, mating system, and ground-dwelling arthropod community effects of the invasive liana Euonymus fortunei

Elam, Robert
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7808-3131
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1692289231786941

Abstract Details

2023, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
One common route of introduction of invasive species in the United States is through horticulture. A popular ornamental plant species is Euonymus fortunei, an evergreen groundcover with over 52 different horticultural varieties regularly sold at plant nurseries and garden centers. Several states recognized E. fortunei as an escaped or invasive species, but it is unknown how the species has escaped cultivation, including whether hybrids or cultivars are involved. Using microsatellite markers, I sampled multiple wild populations and compared their genotypes with different cultivars from garden centers. All wild samples were genetically identical to one another and matched perfectly with Coloratus’, the only cultivar to exhibit polyploidy. Even though wild E. fortunei was found to be genetically identical, it is still unknown if the species is capable of self-fertilization or outcrossing, which may influence how spread is happening. I examined the mating systems of E. fortunei by collecting leaf tissue from three E. fortunei plants and 30 fruits from each maternal individual. Based on the microsatellite data, there was evidence of facultative sexual reproduction (selfing and outcrossing) as well as asexual reproduction (apomixis) in all three maternal sibships. On average, it appeared that self-fertilization was the most frequent method with an average rate of 58.6%, followed by apomixis (24.1%) and outcrossing (17.2%). Since all wild specimens appeared to be mostly of the apomictic clonal genotype or generated through fragment propagules, further investigation should focus on what selective pressures may negatively affect progeny produced by sexual reproduction which are not present as adults in the field. Invasive species can often have a negative impact on the diversity of native plant and insect populations in the areas they invade. The disruption of primary producers and consumers can have serious consequences for established food web dynamics. I examined the effects that E. fortunei has on the ground dwelling arthropod community in the forests where the evergreen vine has become well established. Within two nature preserves in Cincinnati, OH, 10 m2 plots were laid out in areas covered with E. fortunei and in areas where it was absent. Samples were collected weekly and then sorted by order to calculate abundance, order richness, and diversity (measured as the Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s indices). Although diversity, evenness, and order richness fluctuated for plots in both parks over the sampling period, there was no overall significant difference in arthropod abundance, diversity, order richness, or evenness between the infested and non-infested plots. However various arthropod orders appeared to be more abundant in the different plots. This work provides insight into the identity of wild E. fortunei, which in populations sampled in Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, and Minnesota, the ‘Coloratus’ cultivar is responsible for escaped and established populations. Furthermore, we now know that E. fortunei is reproductively facultative, which is important for future studies of the parentage, genotypic variance, and apomictic clonal advantage in E. fortunei. This will also be valuable to land managers, horticultural and landscaping businesses, and governmental agencies interested in reducing impacts of invasive species.
Theresa Culley, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Mark Brand, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
George Uetz, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Eric Tepe, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Denis Conover, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
131 p.
Biology
Euonymus; Invasive; Polyploid; Polyembryonic; Arthropod; Genetics

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Citations

  • Elam, R. (2023). Investigating the population genetics, mating system, and ground-dwelling arthropod community effects of the invasive liana Euonymus fortunei [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1692289231786941

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Elam, Robert. Investigating the population genetics, mating system, and ground-dwelling arthropod community effects of the invasive liana Euonymus fortunei. 2023. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1692289231786941.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Elam, Robert. "Investigating the population genetics, mating system, and ground-dwelling arthropod community effects of the invasive liana Euonymus fortunei." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1692289231786941

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1692289231786941
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.