About me
Population genetics and clonal structure of the Appalachian Jacob's ladder, a rare wetland wildflower
Sufia Khader, Simon Joly & Stéphanie Pellerin
I study the population genetics of Polemonium vanbruntiae, an endangered species with a narrow distribution that occurs in Quebec. Known for its striking purple flowers, this species also propagates clonally through rhizomes. While sexual reproduction generates genetically unique offspring by combining the genetic material of two parents, clonal propagation produces genetically identical offspring. This can create an illusion of diversity within a population because clonally produced individuals, despite appearing distinct, are genetically identical and represent a single genetic entity.
My project addresses the issue of clonal propagation in relation to population size and conservation assessments for P. vanbruntiae in Quebec. Using next-generation DNA sequencing, I aim to: • Determine the structure of clonal propagation by comparing the genomes of neighboring individuals. • Investigate the genetic structure of populations in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Vermont to understand the connectivity and genetic exchanges across these regions.
