RAMPING IT UP: ASSESSING GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE ALLIUM TRICOCCUM AITON COMPLEX IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WITH NEXT-GEN SEQUENCING

Ramps (Allium tricoccum complex) are a highly sought-after edible plant that is culturally significant to Native Americans, particularly the Eastern Band of Cherokee. However, foraging for and commercially collecting this plant has become increasingly popular, leading to concern that some populations may be eradicated due to irresponsible harvesting. This study uses SNP genetic markers obtained via the Next-Generation sequencing technique MIG-seq to assess the genetic diversity of A. tricoccum populations throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the hopes of empowering sustainable, Indigenous harvest. Populations throughout the park show low levels of genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding, as expected in predominantly clonal plant species. Analyses have revealed two distinct genetic clusters within the park that do not map to distinct populations, providing molecular evidence for the potential presence of the controversial sister taxa, Allium burdickii. The data generated in this study will play a crucial role in the long-term monitoring of the A. tricoccum complex, as well as highlight genetic methods for obtaining population-level information that can be used in future studies analyzing seemingly abundant clonal plant populations.<p></p>