Baskauf, C.J., S. Snapp, Annals of the Missouri Botanical
Garden (1998) 85: 90-96
Population genetics of the cedar glade endemic Astragalus
bibullatus (Fabaceae) using isozymes
The rare cedar-glade endemic Astragalus bibullatus (Fabaceae) has
low levels of genetic variability both within and among populations. Within-population
means across 15 isozyme loci resulted in estimates of 1.4 alleles per locus,
25.6% polymorphic loci, and 0.064 for observed heterozygosity. Populations
are genetically very similar, with a low FST and genetic identity values
ranging from 0.981 to 1.000. Sites where this species naturally occurs
should be protected, but, considering the low levels of population differentiation,
the source of transplants or seeds needed to establish new populations
may not be the most critical concern.