Genetic variability and patterns of colonisation in Antarctic mosses

The geographic and microgeographic organisation of variation at genetic marker loci in mosses of the McMurdo Sound region was investigated. Samples of five species of mosses including Bryum argenteum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Pottia heimii, Sarconeurum glaciale and Ceratodon purpureus were collected from sites from Ross Island and Southern Victoria Land including Cape Bird, Cape Royds, Cape Crozier, the Garwood Valley, the Taylor Valley, the Miers Valley, Granite Harbour, Bratina Island, Edmonson Point, Mt Melbourne and in the vicinity of Scott Base. A detailed analysis of the patterns of variation (protein and DNA level variation) at a number of genetic marker loci using isozymes (gel electrophoresis) and random amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was completed for all samples. The colonisation history and processes of moss vegetation in Antarctica were inferred from the results.