Genotypic diversity and clone size in old-growth populations of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

Abstract

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.) has long-lived individual trees that can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Allozyme markers indicate that, in old-growth populations in northern California, 15-34% of clones are multistemmed. Of those, they have few stems per clone, and none are very spatially pervasive. There is much variety in the clonal configurations observed, including circular, linear, and (or) disjunct arrangements. Visual assessment is a poor predictor of clonal identity and fairy ring structures more often than not contain multiple genotypes. In this first allozyme study of coast redwood, high levels of genetic variation are observed, higher than those observed for most other western conifers. These levels are perhaps related to the species' hexaploid condition, ancient phylogenetic lineage, and historically broader natural range. There are also generally high levels of genotypic diversity. Upland sites, with more frequent and intense fires, do not differ significantly in genotypic diversity from the more mesic lowland sites. Population structure in coast redwood seems to resemble the classic pattern for many open-pollinated conifers: much diversity within and little among populations. However, this is not a rangewide study. The current levels and structure of genetic and genotypic diversity in old-growth populations suggests episodic recruitment. The long-lived nature of individual stems and the capacity for asexual reproduction may allow clones to exist indefinitely, thus challenging some of the generalizations in evolutionary theory that are based on sexually reproducing species.Key words: clones, asexual reproduction, allozyme diversity, conifer, gymnosperm, polyploid.