Isozyme variation in Trillium nivale (Liliaceae)

Abstract

Trillium nivale Riddell is an early-blooming spring ephemeral, which occurs in widely scattered, small populations throughout the eastern United States. Nine populations from previously glaciated regions of Ohio were surveyed by enzyme electrophoresis to determine the extent of the genetic variation present in the species. Twelve enzymes, coded by 25 putative genetic loci, were assayed during the study. Within populations, either very low amounts of genetic variation or total genetic uniformity were detected. The low levels of genetic variation are perhaps correlated with the reproductive biology of T. nivale.