Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the AB096061 Gene of Phragmites australis

Phragmites australis exists in two primary strains in North America: native and introduced. Within the AB096061 gene of both strains, nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interest have been noted in Midwestern and Canadian leaf samples, but previous findings might have been indicative of local SNPs. In the following research project, the geographic sampling range was increased to test native, invasive, and hybrid Phragmites samples from the Western United States. DNA from Utah, Nevada, and California samples were isolated, prepared, and sequenced according to previous protocols. The sequencing data and results from the project continued to prove the indicative SNPs exist uniformly in native and invasive strains from Western samples. The project also found one new SNP within the AB09061 gene and showed the higher prevalence of an additional polymorphism in the Western samples. By continuing to distinguish and confirm the differences between strains, the introduced strain can be properly managed by applying information and results to expand and refine control methods.