Microsatellite survey reveals possible link between triploidy and mortality of quaking aspen in Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Authors

Groves B. Dixon
Laura E. DeWald

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Volume

45

Issue

10

First Page

1369

Last Page

1375

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

In the southwestern United States, populations of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) are experiencing widespread mortality. Although environmental factors contributing to mortality have been well characterized, less is known about how genotype and particularly ploidy level affect susceptibility. We used five microsatellite markers to infer the ploidy level of 212 aspen stems in Kaibab National Forest, Arizona. Many multilocus genotypes showed three alleles at one or more loci, suggestive of frequent triploidy among our samples. Sites populated with putative triploids had higher mortality. In addition, heterozygosity was positively associated with mortality and crown dieback. Our results suggest that triploidy is a predisposing factor for aspen mortality in Kaibab National Forest.

Recommended Citation

Dixon, G.B. and DeWald, L.E. 2015. Microsatellite survey reveals possible link between triploidy and mortality of quaking aspen in Kaibab National Forest, Arizona. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 45(10):1369-1375.