Reproductive biology and floral variation in the endangered Braya longii and threatened B. fernaldii (Brassicaceae) : implications for conservation management of rare plants

Parsons, Kimberley A. (2002) Reproductive biology and floral variation in the endangered Braya longii and threatened B. fernaldii (Brassicaceae) : implications for conservation management of rare plants. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[img] [English] PDF - Accepted Version
Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.

Download (3MB)

Abstract

The closely related, endangered Braya longii and threatened Braya fernaldii (Brassicaceae) are endemic to the limestone barrens of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. This project determines potential breeding systems, levels of population differentiation, potential hybridization between these species and implications for conservation management. Morphological species differences are also summarized to ensure proper identification of new populations. Results indicate field identification using only single morphological characters is insufficient to unambiguously identify species. Both species were found to be primarily autogamous but B. longii has a greater potential for outcrossing than B. fernaldii. Cleistogamy was found to occur within some populations of B. fernaldii, but not in B. longii. Evidence of population differentiation in floral morphology was found for both species and potential hybridization was indicated by floral morphology and hand-pollinations. The results of this study provide guidance for potential conservation management tools and must be addressed before reintroduction and population restoration are implemented.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/8576
Item ID: 8576
Additional Information: Includes bibliographical references.
Department(s): Science, Faculty of > Biology
Date: September 2002
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador--Great Northern Peninsula
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Braya--Newfoundland and Labrador--Great Northern Peninsula; Cruciferae--Newfoundland and Labrador--Great Northern Peninsula; Rare plants--Newfoundland and Labrador--Great Northern Peninsula; Plant conservation--Newfoundland and Labrador--Great Northern Peninsula

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over the past year

View more statistics