Part 1: Visitation of potential pollinators to Cornus florida and C. kousa flowers was assessed in East Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. Data regarding insect visitation rates to multiple trees per location were gathered throughout the flowering period. Diurnal and seasonal variations in visitation were recorded. Pollen coverage was assessed on portions of captured insect exoskeletons that were most likely to contact the stigma. Eleven families in four insect orders were collected from C. florida and 26 families in five orders from C. kousa. The most important pollinators in eastern Tennessee were bees in the Andrenidae and Halictidae. The most common visitors to C. kousa flowers were scarab, cerambycid and cantharid beetles. Halictid bees were also frequent visitors to C. kousa. Part 2: Dispersion of flowering dogwood pollen in an orchard was evaluated by performing parentage analysis on open pollinated seedlings collected from a single maternal tree. Pollen source for 45 seedling trees were established using three polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. The expected leptokurtic distribution was not seen. Although the majority of paternal trees were within the 12 m radius of the study area, the trees most likely to donate pollen were some of the furthest away. Unusual pollen movement may be a product of lack of synchronization of flowering times between the mother tree and potential pollen donors in the area. Additionally relative proportions of certain pollinating insects (andrenid and halictid bees) may have moved pollen further than expected. Appendix 1: Pollen from 6 species in the genus Cornus was analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to determine the utility of this tool to identify pollen grains to species. Although there were differences visible in the spectra, principal components analysis coupled with cluster analysis could not consistently identify pollen grains. Appendix 2: Floral volatile emissions from 6 species of Cornus were collected in a headspace chamber and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine if differences between emitted volatiles of C. florida and C. kousa explain differences in floral insect visitation. The relationship between floral volatile emission and the phylogeny of Cornus was also examined.

Plants are under selection to simultaneously attract pollinators while deterring herbivores. This dilemma can lead to tradeoffs in floral traits, which are traditionally thought to be optimized for pollinators. My dissertation addresses the ecological costs and putative functional significance of nectar secondary metabolites, a paradoxical but widespread phenomenon in the angiosperms. I investigate this issue from the pollinator’s perspective using a series of controlled laboratory investigations focused primarily on the bumble bee Bombus impatiens and the nectar alkaloid gelsemine, from Gelsemium sempervirens. I begin by demonstrating that nectar enriched with the alkaloid gelsemine significantly deters visits from bumble bees at a range of natural alkaloid concentrations. However, this aversion can be mitigated by increasing the sucrose concentration such that the alkaloid-rich nectar is more rewarding than its alkaloid-free counterpart. I then demonstrate that the consumption of gelsemine-rich nectar can inhibit oocyte development and protein utilization in bees, but that this effect is limited to bees of suboptimal condition. Continuous consumption of the nectar alkaloid gelsemine also leads to a reduction in the pathogen load of bumble bees infected with Crithidia bombi, but direct interactions between the pathogen and the alkaloid have no impact on infection intensity. Gelsemine also fails to inhibit floral yeast growth, suggesting that nectar alkaloids may not be universally antimicrobial. Finally, I demonstrate that gross nectar cardenolides from the genus Asclepias are strongly correlated with gross leaf cardenolides and that the majority of individual cardenolides found in nectar are a subset of those identified in leaves. This pattern suggests that nectar cardenolides are a consequence of defense for Asclepias; however, they may not be a costly corollary because bumble bees show an overall preference for nectar cardenolides at mean concentrations. Altogether, my dissertation provides a new perspective on the role of chemical defenses against herbivores in plant-pollinator interactions.

Plants are under selection to simultaneously attract pollinators while deterring herbivores. This dilemma can lead to tradeoffs in floral traits, which are traditionally thought to be optimized for pollinators. My dissertation addresses the ecological costs and putative functional significance of nectar secondary metabolites, a paradoxical but widespread phenomenon in the angiosperms. I investigate this issue from the pollinator’s perspective using a series of controlled laboratory investigations focused primarily on the bumble bee Bombus impatiens and the nectar alkaloid gelsemine, from Gelsemium sempervirens. I begin by demonstrating that nectar enriched with the alkaloid gelsemine significantly deters visits from bumble bees at a range of natural alkaloid concentrations. However, this aversion can be mitigated by increasing the sucrose concentration such that the alkaloid-rich nectar is more rewarding than its alkaloid-free counterpart. I then demonstrate that the consumption of gelsemine-rich nectar can inhibit oocyte development and protein utilization in bees, but that this effect is limited to bees of suboptimal condition. Continuous consumption of the nectar alkaloid gelsemine also leads to a reduction in the pathogen load of bumble bees infected with Crithidia bombi, but direct interactions between the pathogen and the alkaloid have no impact on infection intensity. Gelsemine also fails to inhibit floral yeast growth, suggesting that nectar alkaloids may not be universally antimicrobial. Finally, I demonstrate that gross nectar cardenolides from the genus Asclepias are strongly correlated with gross leaf cardenolides and that the majority of individual cardenolides found in nectar are a subset of those identified in leaves. This pattern suggests that nectar cardenolides are a consequence of defense for Asclepias; however, they may not be a costly corollary because bumble bees show an overall preference for nectar cardenolides at mean concentrations. Altogether, my dissertation provides a new perspective on the role of chemical defenses against herbivores in plant-pollinator interactions.

Part 1: Visitation of potential pollinators to Cornus florida and C. kousa flowers was assessed in East Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. Data regarding insect visitation rates to multiple trees per location were gathered throughout the flowering period. Diurnal and seasonal variations in visitation were recorded. Pollen coverage was assessed on portions of captured insect exoskeletons that were most likely to contact the stigma. Eleven families in four insect orders were collected from C. florida and 26 families in five orders from C. kousa. The most important pollinators in eastern Tennessee were bees in the Andrenidae and Halictidae. The most common visitors to C. kousa flowers were scarab, cerambycid and cantharid beetles. Halictid bees were also frequent visitors to C. kousa.Part 2: Dispersion of flowering dogwood pollen in an orchard was evaluated by performing parentage analysis on open pollinated seedlings collected from a single maternal tree. Pollen source for 45 seedling trees were established using three polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. The expected leptokurtic distribution was not seen. Although the majority of paternal trees were within the 12 m radius of the study area, the trees most likely to donate pollen were some of the furthest away. Unusual pollen movement may be a product of lack of synchronization of flowering times between the mother tree and potential pollen donors in the area. Additionally relative proportions of certain pollinating insects (andrenid and halictid bees) may have moved pollen further than expected.Appendix 1: Pollen from 6 species in the genus Cornus was analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to determine the utility of this tool to identify pollen grains to species. Although there were differences visible in the spectra, principal components analysis coupled with cluster analysis could not consistently identify pollen grains.Appendix 2: Floral volatile emissions from 6 species of Cornus were collected in a headspace chamber and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine if differences between emitted volatiles of C. florida and C. kousa explain differences in floral insect visitation. The relationship between floral volatile emission and the phylogeny of Cornus was also examined.

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.

<p dir="ltr">The striped cucumber beetle (<i>Acalymma vittatum</i>) is a leading pest across a variety of cucurbit crops in eastern North America. These beetles can rapidly infest and damage a field, leading to frequent insecticide applications to manage them. Chemical control is effective at reducing beetle populations, but it also causes detrimental non-target effects on pollinators, which are essential for cucurbit yield. Developing a holistic IPM (integrated pest management) approach is necessary to manage pests while avoiding non-target effects in cucurbit production systems. </p><p dir="ltr">A unique and well-characterized behavior of striped cucumber beetles is their olfactory attraction to both plant volatiles and their species-specific aggregation pheromone, vittatalactone. The interacting effects of combining these olfactory stimuli for cucumber beetle attraction have not previously been tested. I expected when presented with plant volatiles and pheromone together, the striped cucumber beetles will show synergistic attraction, resulting in enhanced attraction stronger than the sums of the separate effects. Along with targeting striped cucumber beetles, I expected to elicit cross-attraction of related cucurbit pests (e.g., spotted cucumber beetle) to these same signals based on previous findings indicating cross-attraction. The expected cross attraction may be due to the reliance on olfactory cues to inform the related insects on preferrable host plants and nutrition. </p><p dir="ltr">Cucurbit systems are also highly reliant on pollination services for high-quality fruit; thus, the feasibility of these semiochemical tools depends on their influence on pollinator behavior. I expect pollinators to be attracted to floral volatiles but not vittatalactone or individual plant volatiles without the full complement of floral scent (e.g., indole, leaf volatiles). Altogether, this research aims to develop a targeted management tool for striped cucumber beetles and other cucurbit pests, while avoiding pollinator distraction or other detrimental effects.</p><p dir="ltr">To measure the efficacy of using olfactory signals as attractants, clear sticky cards were deployed in the field with combinations of pheromone paired with volatiles (floral and/or leaf), as well as the individual components, to quantify pest responses. Simultaneously, a pan trap sampling method was implemented to measure pollinator responses to the same semiochemical combinations. The results of the study demonstrate that striped cucumber beetles are strongly attracted to volatile lures containing pheromones, floral volatiles, and combinations of the two, although the combined pheromone and floral volatile treatments did not synergize beetle attraction. </p><p dir="ltr">Though combined lures did not synergize attraction, this data demonstrates additive effects on beetle behavior. The findings also highlight the importance of understanding seasonal disparities between the behavior of early and late generations of striped cucumber beetles. Temporal variation in attraction demonstrated by the pests is crucial to understand when to implement lure-based management strategies. Two years of testing floral volatile and herbivory-induced plant volatile (HIPV) lure treatments on key cucurbit pollinators showed varying levels of attraction. There was no attraction of focal cucurbit bees to the striped cucumber beetle pheromone, but there were differences in the response of pollinators to plant volatile components. </p><p dir="ltr">Cucurbits require high pollination activity for successful fruit, though the most important bees in pollinating this system are bees belonging to the genera, <i>Apis</i> and <i>Eucera</i>. Along with these bee groups, other bees such as those belonging to <i>Melissodes</i>, <i>Lasioglossum</i>, and <i>Bombus</i> are also known important pollinators. <i>Lasioglossum</i> bees showed a strong attraction to the full-floral blend, TIC (1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene, indole, (E)-cinnamaldehyde), but no preference for indole or HIPVs. <i>Melissodes</i> bees were most attracted to methyl salicylate and TIC, whereas <i>Eucera</i> bees exhibited strong attraction to ocimene and TIC. These findings suggest that different pollinator taxa have unique preferences for plant volatiles, highlighting the importance of optimizing lure combinations to avoid disrupting pollination activities in cucurbit production.</p><p dir="ltr">Additionally, this study revealed that other key cucurbit pests, such as spotted cucumber beetles and western corn rootworms, also showed strong attraction to the tested volatile components. These findings suggest that the selected volatiles may have broader implications for pest management beyond striped cucumber beetles. Further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy and refine formulations of these volatile lures to implement in IPM.</p>

Sisyrinchium micranthum Cav. is an herbaceous plant, one of the rare species of the genus which is described as annual. In Brazil, its distribution occurs throughout the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP), and Rio de Janeiro (RJ). The species has a wide morphological variability reported in several studies, and different combinations of morphological features can be observed in the wild. Based on these combinations that characterize various plant profiles, three morphological types have been described as CI, CII and CIII. Sisyrinchium micranthum has three ploidy levels described in the literature whose basic number is x = 8, 2n = 2x = 16, 2n = 4x = 32, and 2n = 6x = 48. To contribute to the knowledge on the taxonomy, reproduction and evolution of the species, this study investigated genetic and cytogenetic characteristics of S. micranthum, as well as aspects of reproductive biology. To study the population genetic structure of S. micranthum in southern Brazil, firstly, nine microsatellite markers were isolated using an enriched genomic library, and characterized in a diploid population. Later, from the analysis of genetic variability with seven markers for 583 plants of 14 sampled sites in the states of RS, SC and PR, populations with individuals of different ploidy levels were observed. An autopolyploid origin was presumed for these polyploids. The gene and allelic diversities were rather similar for most of the accessions. The inbreeding coefficient over all loci showed that S. micranthum exhibited an average excess of heterozygotes (negative inbreeding coefficient value), but the FIS values of individual populations ranged from -0.273 to 0.454. The heterozygote excess could be expected since autopolyploids present polysomic inheritance, which contributes substantially for a high heterozygosity. In addition, the populations were highly structured. The results from the cytogenetic analyses, demonstrated that the variability of S. micranthum is also present in terms of genome organization. Regarding S. micranthum and related species S. laxum Otto ex Sims and S. rosulatum E.P. Bicknell, it was verified that the 18S-26S rDNA varies in number of loci, with a notable reduction of the same in polyploids in relation to diploids, while 5S locus showed a proportional increase in the number of signals as increased ploidy level. The data on genome size (Cx) for the three species studied showed a genome downsizing from diploids to polyploids, and also a small inter and intraspecific variation with respect to the C-value. In terms of reproductive biology, selfing and outcrossing were recorded for the species. Furthermore, crossing between different morphological categories of S. micranthum are compatible as resulted in the formation of fruits. Likewise, the data suggest that S. micranthum and S. laxum do not present complete reproductive isolation. The genetic variability of S. micranthum demonstrated in this study in terms of genetic divergence between populations and variation in rDNA loci number possibly reflect the complex relationship between polyploidy and reproductive aspects of the species. / Sisyrinchium micranthum Cav. est une espèce herbacée, l'une des rares du genre qui est décrite comme annuelle. On la trouve au Brésil dans les états du Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP) et Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Cette espèce montre une grande variabilité morphologique signalée dans plusieurs études, et différentes combinaisons de caractères morphologiques peuvent être observées dans la nature. Sur la base de ces combinaisons qui caractérisent les profils de plantes différentes, trois types morphologiques ont été décrits, CI, CII et CIII. Sisyrinchium micranthum a trois niveaux de ploïdie décrits dans la littérature à partir du nombre de base x = 8, 2n = 2x = 16, 2n = 4x = 32 et 2n = 6x = 48. Pour contribuer à la connaissance taxonomique, reproductive et évolutive de l’espèce, cette étude a considéré des caractéristiques génétiques et cytogénétiques de S. micranthum, ainsi que les aspects de la biologie de la reproduction. Pour étudier la structure des populations de S. micranthum dans le sud du Brésil, neuf marqueurs microsatellites ont été isolés à l'aide d'une banque génomique enrichie, et caractérisés dans une population diploïde. A partir de l'analyse de la variabilité génétique avec sept marqueurs pour 583 plantes de 14 localités d’échantillonnage de RS, SC et PR nous avons observé l'existence de populations possédant des individus à différents niveaux de ploïdie. Une origine autopolyploïde a été présumé pour ces polyploïdes. La diversité génique et allélique était à peu près similaire dans la plupart des populations. Le coefficient de consanguinité sur tous les loci a montré que les populations de S. micranthum ont présenté un excès des hétérozygotes (coefficient de consanguinité négative), mais les valeurs de FIS de populations individuelles variaient de -0,273 à 0,454. L'excès d'hétérozygotes peut être dû à un héritage polysomique des autopolyploïdes, ce qui contribue sensiblement à une hétérozygotie élevée. En outre, les populations sont très structurées. Les résultats de l'analyse cytogénétique montrent que la variabilité chez S. micranthum s’exprime aussi en termes d'organisation du génome. En ce qui concerne S. micranthum et les espèces proches S. laxum Otto ex Sims et S. rosulatum E.P. Bicknell, il a été démontré que l'ADNr 18S-26S varie en nombre de loci, avec une réduction importante chez les polyploïdes par rapport aux diploïdes, tandis que le locus 5S a montré une augmentation du nombre de signaux proportionnelle au niveau de ploïdie. Les données sur la taille du génome pour les trois espèces étudiées ont montré une tendance à la baisse du génome monoploïde (1Cx) chez les polyploïdes (« genome downsizing »), ainsi qu’une faible variation inter et intraspécifique de la valeur C. En termes de la biologie de reproduction, l'autofécondation et l’allofécondation ont été observées chez cette espèce. En outre, il a été constaté que des croisements entre différentes catégories morphologiques de S. micranthum ont été possibles puisqu’ils ont abouti à la formation des fruits. De même, les données obtenues suggèrent aussi qu’il n’existe pas une barrière reproductive complète entre S. micranthum et S. laxum. La variabilité génétique de S. micranthum mise en évidence dans cette étude en termes de divergence génétique entre les populations et variation dans le nombre de loci d’ADNr probablement reflètent une relation complexe existante entre la polyploïdie et les aspects de la reproduction de l’espèce. / Sisyrinchium micranthum Cav. é uma planta herbácea, sendo uma das raras espécies do gênero que são descritas como anuais. No Brasil, sua distribuição ocorre ao longo dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP) e Rio de Janeiro (RJ). A espécie apresenta ampla variabilidade morfológica relatada em vários trabalhos, sendo que diferentes combinações de aspectos morfológicos podem ser observadas na natureza. Baseando-se nessas combinações que caracterizam diversos perfis vegetais, três tipos morfológicos foram descritos, CI, CII e CIII. Sisyrinchium micranthum tem três níveis de ploidia descritos na literatura a partir do número básico x = 8, sendo eles 2n = 2x = 16, 2n = 4x = 32 e 2n = 6x = 48. A fim de contribuir para o conhecimento taxonômico, reprodutivo e evolutivo da espécie, neste trabalho foram investigadas características genéticas e citogenéticas de S. micranthum, assim como aspectos da biologia reprodutiva. Para estudar a estrutura populacional de S. micranthum no sul do Brasil, primeiramente, nove marcadores microssatélites foram isolados usando uma biblioteca genômica enriquecida, e caracterizados em uma população diploide. Posteriormente, a partir da análise da variabilidade genética com sete marcadores para 583 plantas de 14 localidades amostradas nos estados do RS, SC e PR observou-se a existência de populações com indivíduos de diferentes níveis de ploidia, e uma possível origem autopoliploide para os poliploides. As diversidades gênica e alélica foram aproximadamente semelhantes para a maioria dos acessos. O coeficiente de endogamia sobre todos os locos mostrou que S. micranthum apresentou um excesso médio de heterozigotos (valor de coeficiente de endogamia negativo), mas os valores FIS das populações individuais variaram de -0,273 a 0,454. O excesso de heterozigotos poderia ser esperado uma vez que autopoliploides apresentam herança polissômica, o que contribui substancialmente com uma heterozigosidade elevada. Além disso, as populações mostraram-se altamente estruturadas. Os resultados provenientes das análises citogenéticas, mostram que a variabilidade de S. micranthum está presente também em termos de organização do genoma. Considerando S. micranthum e as espécies relacionadas S. laxum Otto ex Sims e S. rosulatum E.P. Bicknell, foi possível verificar que o rDNA 18S-26S varia em número de locos, com notável redução dos mesmos em poliploides em comparação com os diploides, enquanto o loco 5S mostrou aumento proporcional no número de sinais conforme o aumento no nível de ploidia. Os dados relativos ao tamanho do genoma (Cx) para as três espécies estudadas mostraram uma tendência de redução do genoma de diploides para poliploides; e também uma pequena variação inter e intraespecífica com relação ao valor C. Em termos de biologia reprodutiva, foi registrada a ocorrência de autofecundação e fecundação cruzada para a espécie. Além disso, foi verificado que cruzamentos entre as diferentes categorias morfológicas de S. micranthum são compatíveis uma vez que resultaram na formação de frutos. Da mesma forma, os dados obtidos sugerem que S. micranthum e S. laxum não representam táxons totalmente isolados reprodutivamente. A variabilidade genética de S. micranthum encontrada no presente estudo em termos de divergência genética entre populações e de variação do número de locos de rDNA, possivelmente, reflete a complexa relação existente entre a poliploidia e os aspectos reprodutivos da espécie.