Genetic variability and spatial separation in the sea palm kelp Postelsia palmaeformis (Phaeophyceae) as assessed with M13 fingerprints and RAPDS

Postelsia palmaeformis Ruprecht is an annual species, occuring from southern California to Vancouver Island Canada, in upper intertidal sites exposed to extreme wave shock. Because of its limited spore dispersal, discrete and inbred populations are likely on the local scale, yet dispersal of drifting and fertile thalli raises the possibility of outbred populations on a regional scale. M13 minisatellite DNA fingerprinting and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used in a complementary fashion to investigate genetic variability among 24 individuals on scales of clusters (= coalesced holdfasts).