| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section / ASPT McMurry, Samuel L. [1], Johnson, Leigh A. [1], Clark, Deborah J. [2], Etches, Ruthanne [1], Alonso, James [1]. Chloroplast phylogeography of the Mussentuchit Gilia (Aliciella tenuis, Polemoniaceae). THE Mussentuchit gilia, Aliciella tenuis, is narrowly endemic to the San Rafael Swell and adjacent Capital Reef National Park regions of southern Utah. Extensive surveys by an interagency rare plant team (IRPT) over the past 5 years have identified approximately 40 populations of A. tenuis. These populations were partitioned by the IRPT into seven geographically distinct groups in an effort to categorize habitat and geological differences between localities. To better understand genetic relationships and metapopulation dynamics among these groups, we have surveyed multiple individuals from 14 populations representing six of the seven geographic groups recognized by the IRPT, as well as individuals from multiple populations of related species. DNA sequences from the ITS region revealed a paucity of genetic variation at this locus across A. tenuis populations. Chloroplast DNA, in contrast, reveals four distinct population clusters that correlate with broad geographic patterns. Genetic cluster 1 includes the type locality for A. tenuis. Genetic cluster 2 includes two of the seven IRPT clusters that are geographically proximal to the only unsampled cluster; these populations share a chloroplast cytotype with A. cespitosa. Genetic cluster 3 also includes two of the IRPT clusters, and occupies the northern extent of the species range; this cluster represents the only occurrences of this species on the Entrada formation. Genetic cluster 4 occurs at the south end of the range; these populations share a chloroplast cytotype similar to that possessed by A. subnuda. In summary, results to date suggest geographic structuring of chloroplast DNA in A. tenuis populations, a result consistent with maternal inheritance of cpDNA and limited seed dispersal. These results also reveal unexpected evidence of chloroplast capture via past hybridization of localized populations of A. tenuis with A. cespitosa and A. subnuda.
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1 - Brigham Young University, Department of Integrative Biology, 401 Widtsoe Building, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
2 - Bureau of Land Management, Richfield Field Office, 150 E 900 N, Richfield, Utah, 84701, USA
Keywords:
Polemoniaceae
phylogeography
rare plant conservation
endemic species.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: 48-188
Location: Auditorium/Bell Memorial Union
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:560 |
