Report of two distinct ribotypes in ITS sequences of Phalarisarundinacea (Poaceae) in western Canada and Alaska

Diana M Percy; Quentin C B Cronk

doi:10.3897/BDJ.11.e101257

Report of two distinct ribotypes in ITS sequences of Phalarisarundinacea (Poaceae) in western Canada and Alaska

Biodivers Data J. 2023 Apr 11:11:e101257. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e101257. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Diana M Percy¹, Quentin C B Cronk^{2

1}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Department of Botany, University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.
² Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.

Abstract

Background: Phalarisarundinacea L. (reed canary grass) is a widely occurring grass throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, it is thought to consist of introduced agricultural forms from Europe as well as native populations.

New information: During a survey of Phalarisarundinacea in western Canada, we discovered two distinct ribotypes in the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA: one full length (ITS-long) and one with a seven base pair deletion (ITS-short). In addition, ITS-long plants have fixed heterozygosity indicating possible polyploidy. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that ITS-short is a unique ribotype that characterises an intraspecific clade. We designed an efficient PCR-based assay that allows sizing of a 238/245 base pair fragment in a capillary sequencer. This approach provides a novel marker that could be useful in future surveys of Phalarisarundinacea.

Keywords: Phalaris; internal transcribed spacer; invasive plant; reed canary grass.

Diana M. Percy, Quentin C. B. Cronk.

Grants and funding

This project was initiated and partially funded by Elk Island National Park, Alberta.