9509139 Keeler This research involves investigation of a series of unusual populations of the tallgrass prarie grass Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem). This work focuses on understanding the function, and genetic variation in natural populations, specifically intraspecific polypoidy (additional copies of the entire genome). %%% This study combines population biology and ecological genetics in understanding ploidy variation, a significant challenge for botanists. Such a study also has more immediate importance to conservation since this species is part of a threatened ecosystem. ***
