Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Guilliams, C. Matt [1], Hasenstab-Lehman, Kristen [2].

Conservation genomics of Indian Knob mountainbalm (Eriodictyon altissimum, Namaceae), a rare and imperiled shrub of coastal Central California.

Eriodictyon altissimum (Namaceae), known colloquially as Indian Knob mountainbalm, is a rare shrub known from only six occurrences along the Central Coast of California. While the core of the species’ distribution centers on the “Indian Knob” occurrence, isolated, smaller occurrences are present at the periphery of the species range. It is unclear how much genetic diversity these smaller occurrences harbor and to what extent this diversity is unique. Furthermore, like other members of the genus, E. altissimum is rhizomatous, often responding to disturbance by spreading and sending up new shoots (ramets). As the connecting rhizome is subterranean, it can be difficult to impossible to determine the number of genetically distinct individuals (genets) within an occurrence using traditional survey and management techniques. The goals of this project were therefore twofold: to examine the overall genetic diversity of the species across its range and to evaluate the extent of clonality in the Indian Knob occurrence. Genomic DNA was extracted from ca. 200 individuals from five occurrences. A SNP dataset was derived from processing of sequences obtained from high-throughput sequencing of ddRADseq library preparations. The final, filtered dataset included 4,021 binary SNPs. Analyses of this dataset show strong genetic differences between occurrences. Genetic diversity is highest in the largest occurrence at Indian Knob, but outlying occurrences each harbor unique genetic variation. Estimates of colonality were made more complicated by the nature of the SNP dataset, a result that will be discussed in the light of data filtering and quality control. Findings from this project will contribute toward setting conservation goals and actions with land owners and regulatory agencies.

1 - Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105, United States
2 - Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Department of Conservation and Research, 1200 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105, USA

Keywords:
Eriodictyon
Namaceae
ddRAdseq
clonality
Boraginales
conservation.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: CB1, Conservation Ecology 1
Location: Tucson B/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 10:45 AM
Number: CB1011
Abstract ID:665
Candidate for Awards:None