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Elm genetic diversity and hybridization in the presence of Dutch elm disease

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The impact of Dutch elm disease (DED) on the genetic diversity of slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is summarized and its potential impact on the genetic diversity of other North American native elms, American elm (U. americana), rock elm (U. thomasii), winged elm (U. alata), cedar elm (U. crassifolia), and September elm (U. serotina), is discussed. The potential for hybridization between the introduced Siberian elm U. pumila and the native North American elms is considered given previous findings with U. rubra. We do not expect DED to reduce the genetic diversity of these native elms. The only exception may be U. serotina if its restricted range leads to genetic discontinuities among populations. We do not expect hybridization between U. americana and U. pumila due to incompatibility barriers, but hybridization between U. pumila and other native elms appears more likely and could have negative effects on the long term conservation of these species. This information is timely given the current efforts to restore American elm across the U.S. landscape.

Parent Publication

Citation

Brunet, Johanne; Guries, Raymond P. 2017. Elm genetic diversity and hybridization in the presence of Dutch elm disease. In: Pinchot, Cornelia C.; Knight, Kathleen S.; Haugen, Linda M.; Flower, Charles E.; Slavicek, James M., eds. Proceedings of the American elm restoration workshop 2016; 2016 October 25-27; Lewis Center, OH. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-174. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 99-107.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/54951