Assessing the genetic composition of invasive knotweeds (Reynoutria; Polygonaceae) using data from the first intron and second exon of the nuclear LEAFY gene

Abstract

In places where multiple related taxa are invasive and known to hybridize, it is important to have correct identifications to enable an appropriate legal, ecological, and management understanding of each kind of invader. Invasive knotweeds in the genus Reynoutria Houtt. are noxious weeds in Europe, North America, Africa, and Oceania, where they disrupt native plant communities and negatively impact human activities. Two species (R. japonica Houtt., R. sachalinensis (F.Schmidt) Nakai) and their hybrid (known as R. × bohemica Chrtek & Chrtková) have similar invasive tendencies, although there are some noted differences among them in their reproduction potential, ecological tolerance, and effect on native communities. Prior studies demonstrated that there is not only one kind of interspecific hybrid, but in fact at least four kinds that differ in the sequence variants they possess from each parent. Thus, in addition to identifying plants as hybrids, it may become important to distinguish each kind of hybrid when considering control or treatment strategies. In the current study, we expand the available genetic information for invasive knotweeds by providing expanded DNA sequence data for the low-copy nuclear gene LEAFY, which has become important for characterizing hybrids. Our methods recover the same LEAFY genotypes that were identified previously for the commonly sequenced second intron, and we also provide sequence data for the first intron and second exon of the gene.