Spatial autocorrelation in two Iris pumila populations estimated on morphological data from natural clones and their samples grown in two different habitats

Abstract

Morphological data from two Iris pumila populations (measured on native clones, on their replants into the same habitat, and on their transplants into alternative habitat) were combined with native clones spatial position and spatial autocorrelations (SA) were calculated. Naturally growing I. pumila clones revealed significant SA that were positive on small distances and negative on medium ones in both open Hillock and shaded Woodland populations. No significant SA were detected when calculated with original clone positions, but with morphometric data from replants into the experimental plot in the same habitat. Some significant SA were, however, detected when morphometric data from transplants to alternative habitat were used. Detected SA on I. pumila clones were primarilly a consequence of spatial structuring of environmental factors but also, in lesser degree, a result of genetic spatial arrangements (most probably due to patterns of gene flow).