Spatial genetic structure of the sea sandwort ( Honckenya peploides ) on Surtsey: an immigrant's journey

Sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides) on Surtsey, Iceland, exhibits high genetic diversity and multiple colonization episodes. The study found that Surtsey's populations had the highest proportion of polymorphic markers (55.5%) and genetic diversity (0.1974 HE), suggesting rapid expansion or multiple immigrant origins during early colonization. Genetic differentiation among Surtsey populations was lower than mainland Iceland, indicating substantial gene flow on islands. Most variation (79%) occurred within localities, likely due to outcrossing and subdioecious nature. Significant genetic distance correlated with colonization age, pointing to multiple immigration events from Heimaey and southern Iceland. The research used AFLP markers on 347 plant samples, analyzing spatial genetic structure to uncover these insights.

Árnason, S. H., Thórsson, Ǽ. Th., Magnússon, B., Philipp, M., Adsersen, H., & Anamthawat-Jónsson, K. (2014). Spatial genetic structure of the sea sandwort ( Honckenya peploides ) on Surtsey: an immigrant’s journey. Biogeosciences, 11(22), 6495–6507. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6495-2014