Genotype data for wild lupin populations from central Michigan

Habitat degradation can have significant effects on native species
inhabiting natural ecosystems. Within oak barrens and oak-pine barrens
ecosystems, there is a complex interspecies interaction between the
federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)
and its obligate host plant, wild lupine (Lupinus perennis L.).
Recruitment of wild lupine is critical for maintaining butterfly
populations; however, this recruitment can be impeded by habitat
fragmentation. Reduced recruitment can result in low genetic diversity in
isolated populations, limiting its adaptive potential to respond to
environmental change. This study was aimed at understanding the genetic
diversity and population structure of wild lupine populations throughout
central and west Michigan. We identified significant population structure
across most of the populations sampled, with only two sites not
significantly different from each other. No sites within our study area
displayed statistically significant levels of inbreeding.  There
are also at least two genetic clusters of wild lupine present within our
study region, although there is significant overlap among these groups,
indicating that genetic differentiation among clusters may be limited.