Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Shiels, Derek [1], Hurlbut, Diana [2], Lichtenwald, Samantha [3], Monfils, Anna [4].

Biodiversity and Evolution in North American Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella (bulrush; Cyperaceae).

Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella (bulrushes) are taxonomically challenging and ecologically important genera in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). This research focuses on describing biodiversity in the 23 bulrush taxa native or naturalized in North America by coupling a traditional specimen based taxonomic review of literature, observations of 1600 specimens from 18 herbaria and field collections made across North America with a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of North American Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella. Hypotheses for inter- and intrageneric species relationships are proposed by analyzing a multi-gene dataset (nuclear ribosomal ITS region and the chloroplast trnL intron and trnL-F intergenic spacer regions, and the ndhF coding region) using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. Outgroup taxa are included in the molecular analysis to complement existing studies in the Cyperaceae and represent all genera within the Fuireneae. The resultant phylogenetic hypothesis indicates suspected North American Schoenoplectiella taxa, not addressed in the erection of Schoenoplectiella, do indeed resolve in a Schoenoplectiella clade; with appropriate taxonomic changes, the monophyly of Schoenoplectus sensu stricto is confirmed. The data indicates that Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella are not sister taxa in relation to other genera in the Fuireneae. Within Schoenoplectus, two clades are resolved with support which corresponds to the sections Schoenoplectus and Malacogeton from Schoenoplectus sensu lato.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Central MIchigan University, Biology Department, 217 Brooks Hall, Mount Plesant, MI, 48858, USA
2 - NYS Museum, Research and Collections, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY, 12230, USA
3 - Central Michigan University, Biology Department, 217 Brooks, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858
4 - Central Michigan University, 180 Brooks Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA

Keywords:
Schoenoplectus
Schoenoplectiella
Cyperaceae.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 26
Location: Franklin B/Hyatt
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 26003
Abstract ID:820