| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section/ASPT Meudt, Heidi [1], Prebble, Jessica [2], Lehnebach, Carlos [1]. Endemic New Zealand Myosotis (Boraginaceae): Phylogeny and species limits in a recently radiated genus with a high proportion of threatened species. Reconstructing the evolutionary relationships among individuals of closely-related species is an important and necessary part of delimiting species boundaries, revising the taxonomy, and informing conservation strategies. In New Zealand, phylogenetic reconstruction of many plant genera has been challenging due to a combination of complicating underlying evolutionary processes, including radiation following one or few long-distance founding events, recent speciation, hybridization, and polyploidy, among others. The New Zealand forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae) are an excellent example of a monophyletic group of many (35+) closely related species whose phylogeny is largely unknown and involves geologically-recent species radiation and polyploidy, and whose taxonomy is a high priority for revision due to a high percentage of range-restricted and threatened species. In this talk I will discuss our recent efforts to elucidate the main lineages within the New Zealand Myosotis species radiation using analyses of DNA sequencing and AFLP fingerprinting data of over 100 individuals representing most species and varieties. I will also introduce the M. petiolata and M. pygmaea species complexes and highlight ongoing morphological, genetic and other data that is currently being collected to delimit species in these groups. Overall, the results from this research are key first steps toward understanding the evolutionary history of New Zealand forget-me-nots, and for planning and undertaking their taxonomic revision. Broader Impacts:
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Museum Of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PO Box 467, Cable St, Wellington, N/A, 6140, New Zealand
2 - Massey University, School Of Biological Sciences, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, N/A, 4442, New Zealand
Keywords:
none specified
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 53
Location: Delaware C/Hyatt
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Time: 4:00 PM
Number: 53010
Abstract ID:420 |
