Allozymic diversity of Allium tricoccum (Ait.) Solander var. burdickii Hanes in isolated populations of Nova Scotia (Canada)

Allium tricoccum var. burdickii is a rare species in Nova Scotia, growing i n isolated populations. Genetic variation was investigated in three populat ions using cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis. The results showed that a ll 13 enzyme loci were polymorphic. An excess of heterozygotes was found in all populations. A total of 29 genotypes were detected in the populations. Very few genotypes were common to two populations and none to the three po pulations. Genetic diversity among populations was compared with geographic distance and previous work. The comparison of the genetic distance matrix to the geographic distance matrix indicated no relationship. F-statistics s uggested that the populations are predominantly maintained through vegetati ve propagation. Occasional sexual reproduction and gene flow might occur in order to maintain high level of variation among populations. Environmental conditions could also influence population genetic structure as they occur in highly different habitats.