Biodiversity studies enrich our understanding of the integrity of ecosystems, their responses to disturbances, and the success of conservation or restoration programs. However, both regional and global biodiversity may be underestimated due to the presence of cryptic species; species that are morphologically identical, but genetically distinct. Due to their cryptic nature, two duckweed species (Lemna minor and L. turionifera) have been the focus of discussion among the scientific community. Specifically, while the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute indicates the presence of two Lemna species in Alberta, L. trisulca and L. turionifera, our preliminary DNA barcoding data indicate a third species, L. minor, is also present. It is unknown whether L. minor is rare and/or geographically restricted within Alberta or simply ‘camouflaged’ by its resemblance to L. turionifera. Molecular tools, specifically DNA barcoding, have improved our ability to detect cryptic species. DNA barcoding techniques provide a universal framework to identify species. It allows us to exclusively identify an unknown specimen to species level using short, standardized DNA sequences (400-800 bp). To understand the importance of duckweed in Alberta’s ecosystems and the economic and recreational interest they contain, it is necessary to know what species are present, but even this basic question is in doubt. Thus, in the present study, we developed molecular tools for the rapid identification of two monomorphic Lemna species to determine the biogeographical distribution of L. turionifera and L. minor in Alberta. To determine species distribution in Alberta and assess population genetics of Lemna species, we sampled 130 waterbodies throughout Alberta.
Results/Conclusions
Nucleotide sequence divergences in atpF-atpH and PsbK-psbI region allowed us to develop eight species‐specific primers for five morphologically similar Lemna species (L. turionifera, L. minor, S. polyrhiza, L. minuta and L. gibba). Development of species-specific primers allowed quick screening of a large number of samples. Our preliminary data show L. minor is present in multiple wetlands in southern Alberta. Of the 130 of the sites, 91.5% contained L. turionifera, 3.1% had as L. minor and both were detected at 5.4 % of the sites. Most of the L. minor sites were located around southern part of the province. Until this study, the identities of Lemna species in Alberta was an open question. We were able to determine L. minor is rare in Alberta and probably less known due to its morphological similarity to L. turionifera.