An investigation of genetic variation in Banksia integrifolia (Proteaceae) by the use of the AFLP technique

Abstract

The Banksia integrifolia L.f. species complex has undergone several taxonomic treatments over the past 20 years. In order to gain further insight into phenetic relationships between the taxa of this species, the distribution of genetic variation over the geographic range of B. integrifolia was investigated by the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Ordination and classification analyses resulted in clusters of individuals that closely conformed to the different taxa of this species. Further ordination and classification analyses of individuals of just B. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia indicate that there are also geographical patterns within the subspecies, with those individuals from the north of the species’ range clustering away from those in the south of the range. A Mantel-test between morphological data collected in a previous study and molecular data collected in this study indicated a highly significant correlation between morphological and genetic variation. This study thus supports the current taxonomic classification of the B. integrifolia species complex.