Abstract Detail

Systematics

Monaghan, Leann [1], Moore, Abigail [2].

Using molecular and morphological data to separate cryptic species of rayless Grindelia (Asteraceae).

Grindelia, commonly known as gumweed, is a plant in the family Asteraceae. It can be found in Mexico, Canada, and all over the central and western portions of the United States. We focus on three species that do not possess ray flowers: G. aphanactis, G. fastigiata, and G. nuda. All three are different phylogenetically but are difficult to separate morphologically. Grindelia fastigiata is in the western clade and G. aphanactis and G. nuda are from the eastern but have different positions in the phylogeny. As a result, the three species are often mixed up or combined. We are using sequencing data from the internal transcribing spacer (ITS) and external transcribing spacer (ETS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA to identify collected voucher specimens. These specimens, along with all specimens on SEINet and in the Oklahoma Vascular Plants Database were georeferenced and used to create a distribution map of the three species. We are using genetic and distribution data to separate the species and identify morphological characteristics to identify the species without sequence data.

1 - University of Oklahoma, Microbiology and Plant Biology Department, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Rm 208, Norman, OK, 73019, United States
2 - University of Oklahoma, Department of Microbiology And Plant Biology, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Rm. 204, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

Keywords:
Asteraceae
Grindelia
systematics
species delimitation.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYS3, Systematics III: Asterids part 2
Location: Tucson G/Starr Pass
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2019
Time: 4:15 PM
Number: SYS3011
Abstract ID:697
Candidate for Awards:None