Dr Belinda van Heerwaarden , Dr. Mark Blacket

 Microsatellites were characterized in multiple populations of D. birchii, D. bunnanda and D. serrata. The aim of this work was to compare levels of variability among populations of rainforest species with those of the more widespread D. serrata. An apriori prediction was that levels of genetic structuring among populations might be greater among the rainforest species populations than for the more generalist species. These predictions were not met. Population analysis indicated that for both the rainforest species there were similar levels of gene flow and population structuring than for D. serrata. Therefore there is no evidence for the fragmented rainforest environment leading to disjunct genetic patterns. We are also completing an assessment of mitochondrial DNA to finalize this work.