Abstract Detail

Floristics & Taxonomy

Anderson, Brandee [1], McGlaughlin, Mitchell [2].

Resolving the Taxonomic Synonymy of Phacelia submutica (DeBeque Phacelia) Using Nuclear and Chloroplast Sequences: Implications for Rare Plant Management.

Phacelia submutica J.T Howell (DeBeque Phacelia) is a federally listed Colorado endemic known only to exist within a 12-mile radius of DeBeque, Colorado, where its range is limited by its extreme edaphic requirements. Phacelia sumbutica’s taxonomy is currently uncertain. Historically, P. submutica was considered a distinct species; however, the most recent taxonomic treatment of P. submutica reduced the species to varietal status under P. scopulina. Although P. submutica is still considered a distinct species by some federal agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management), others agencies treat it as a variety of the more widespread P. scopulina (U.S. Forest Service). Because P. submutica is protected under the Endangered Species Act it is important to resolve current taxonomic discrepancies and determine if P. submutica is a distinct genetic entity that justifies continued resource allocation to its conservation. Traditional taxonomic classifications of these species have been based on morphological characteristics alone, often with overlap of character states. In this study, the taxonomic synonymy of P. submutica was resolved by collecting sequence data from two chloroplast DNA regions and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer to create phylogenetic trees and a chloroplast haplotype network from which evolutionary relatedness was inferred. Results indicate that P. submutica is recently derived from P. salina, not P. scopulina as previously described. Based on these results, P. submutica is a distinct genetic entity that warrents species status and continued resource allocation to its conservation.

1 - 4655 S. Tabor Way, Morrison, CO, 80465, United States
2 - University Of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St, Box 92, Greeley, CO, 80639, United States

Keywords:
taxonomy
phylogeny
conservation
rare plants.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: FT, Floristics & Taxonomy
Location: Tucson J/Starr Pass
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Time: 3:45 PM
Number: FT008
Abstract ID:855
Candidate for Awards:None