Icelandic lupine shows high genetic diversity

The Alaska lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), a flowering plant introduced to Iceland, has an unusually high level of genetic diversity, which is rare for species that have been moved to new areas. This diversity was discovered through recent scientific research and challenges previous assumptions about introduced species on islands.

Research published in Scientific Reports

A team from the University of Szczecin in Poland published their findings in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed journal. They analyzed genetic data from Alaska lupine samples collected across Iceland and found that the species has maintained a wide range of genetic variation, which is unexpected for an introduced species.

Human activity increased genetic mixing

The scientists suggest that repeated human plantings of the Alaska lupine have mixed its genetic lineages. This mixing has prevented the typical decline in genetic diversity seen in island populations, which usually have fewer genetic variations due to limited numbers of founding individuals.

Study methods involved DNA analysis

To measure the genetic diversity, the researchers collected leaf samples from 33 locations in Iceland. They used five samples per location to create a combined DNA sample and analyzed them using ISSR markers, which are tools used to detect genetic variation across individuals.

Genetic diversity defies the founder effect

Normally, when a species is introduced to a new area with only a few individuals, its genetic diversity decreases rapidly. This is called the founder effect. However, the Alaska lupine in Iceland has avoided this by repeatedly being introduced and mixed through human activity, maintaining a rich genetic diversity.