Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Jeffrey L. Peters, Ph.D. (Advisor); Kendra Cipollini, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Don Cipollini, Jr., Ph.D. (Committee Member); Katie Hossler, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Wetlands are biodiverse ecosystems across the world, and they are being lost at alarming rates due to fragmentation and anthropogenic stressors. Many wetland plants are endangered or threatened due to wetland decreasing numbers. Scirpus ancistrochaetus is an endangered wetland species in the northeastern United States. It is most commonly found in lowlands and forested ecosystems. In this study, I used 105 polymorphic loci obtained from double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), a conservation genetics tool, to determine conservation units, gene flow, kinship, and isolation-by-distance patterns. Discrete populations were identified in New England and the southern part of the species’ range. I propose that the discrete conservation units need independent conservation plans. Furthermore, to maintain genetic diversity within this species, the Pennsylvania and Southcentral populations should be given conservation priority due to the high diversity and rarity of variants found in those populations.
Page Count
55
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2025
Copyright
Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
ORCID ID
0009-0000-6470-9631
