Abstract Detail

Biogeography

Douglas, Norman [1], Bruenn, Riva [2], Brunner, Anna [3], Flores Olvera, Hilda [4], Ochoterena Booth, Helga [4], Hernandez Ledesma, Patricia [4], Moore, Michael [1].

Phylogeography of Anulocaulis (Nyctaginaceae) based on ITS and chloroplast sequence data.

Anulocaulis comprises five species of succulent herbs that are distributed primarily in the Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts. The Mojave contains one endemic species (A. annulatus), and the Chihuahuan is home to the remaining species. Two species are strong gypsophiles, including the narrowly endemic A. reflexus and the A. leiosolenus complex (which contains 4 varieties and actually has a few scattered populations in Arizona and the Mojave Desert in addition to a widespread distribution in the Chihuahuan). Sequencing of ITS from > 50 accessions of all species shows that the five species are strongly differentiated though differentiation is weak among the varieties of A. leiosolenus. In contrast, the plastid data show stronger fidelity to geographic regions: Arizona populations of A. leiosolenus group with the distantly related Mojave endemic, A. annulatus, while central Chihuahuan populations of A. leiosolenus are mixed with those of A. reflexus. Early-diverging non-gypsophilic lineages are present in both the Mojave and Chihuahuan Deserts, reflecting diversification in the genus prior to the origin of gypsophily. Both morphological and genetic diversity are high in the central Chihuahuan Desert, indicating that this region, most likely represents the origin of the genus and of the gypsophilic taxa. Two movements are implied between the Chihuahuan and Mojave deserts, one involving a strong gypsophile; interestingly, populations of this taxon from Grand Canyon, Arizona, are not gypsophilic, suggesting that flexibility in edaphic preference may have enabled the dispersal across several hundred km of gypsum-free habitat.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Oberlin College, Department of Biology, 119 Woodland St., Oberlin, OH, 44074, USA
2 - Pennsylvania State University, Biology, 208 Mueller Laboratory, University Park, PA, 16802-5301
3 - University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
4 - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biología, Apartado Postal 70-233, México, DF, 04510, Mexico

Keywords:
gypsophily
Phylogeography
Nyctaginaceae
edaphic endemism.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PBG003
Abstract ID:915