Abstract Detail

Population Genetics

Dewoody, Jennifer [1], Hipkins, Valerie [2], Kierstead Nelson, Julie [3], Lindstrand III, Len [4].

Genetic structure of Vaccinium parvifolium (Ericaceae) in northern California reveals potential systematic distinctions.

Vaccinium parvifolium (Ericaceae) is an important understory shrub in conifer forests in western North America. Populations putatively classified as V. parvifolium Sm. in northern California display alternate berry morphology, consistent with a possible phenotypic diversification or cryptic speciation. Identification of cryptic species or subspecies would influence management guidelines given the limited range of some morphological variants. In order to inform management guidelines, two Vaccinium species were characterized via molecular genetic analyses. Plants of typical V. parvifolium morphology from the coastal areas of northwest California, western Oregon and Washington, atypical plants from Shasta County and the central Sierra Nevada, and one population of V. deliciosum Piper, a congener, were assessed at five nuclear microsatellite loci. Analyses of differentiation, admixture, and phylogenetic relationships indicated that populations displaying atypical morphology were more similar to V. deliciosum than to the typical V. parvifolium. Although additional data are required to determine whether these differences warrant taxonomic treatment within Vaccinium, management plans should consider three distinct gene pools among these populations.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Colorado State University, Bioagricultural Sciences And Pest Management, C129 Plant Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1177, United Kingdom
2 - USDA Forest Service, National Forest Genetics Lab, 2480 Carson Road, Placerville, CA, 95667, USA
3 - USDA Forest Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA, 96002, USA
4 - North State Resources, Inc., 5000 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA, 96002, USA

Keywords:
Ericaceae
management units
microsatellites
Shasta County
Taxonomy.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPG008
Abstract ID:790