Abstract Detail

Ecology

Hayes, Jonathan [1], Williams, Tanisha [1], Goad, Rachel [2], Schuette, Scott [2], McDonnell, Angela [3], Martine, Christopher [4].

Genetic diversity & connectivity of Chasmanthium latifolium (Poaceae) in Pennsylvania & the effect on conservation status of a rare species.

Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) Yates (Poaceae) is a loosely colonial, rhizomatous, perennial grass species that lives in riparian habitats, making it fittingly referred to as river oats. Native to the southern Midwest and the eastern half of the United States, C. latifolium reaches the northeastern edge of its range in Pennsylvania. Within Pennsylvania, eleven extant C. latifolium populations are found along four waterways: the Monongahela River, the Susquehanna River, and two tributaries to the Susquehanna River. This limited state distribution exhibits an east-west disjunct distribution, where western populations are largely separated from eastern populations with one centrally located population. Between the limited distribution and number of remaining populations as well as habitat threats, C. latifolium is considered state-critically imperiled (S1) by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. While western populations appear contiguous with the core distribution, central-eastern populations are separated by the Allegheny Mountain range with large distances between populations along the Susquehanna River. Because of these conservation concerns, a better understanding of the natural history and genetics of C. latifolium should prove useful for conservation practitioners. My research aims to investigate the genetic diversity and connectivity of the state-critically imperiled taxon to better understand the natural history of the species and develop scientifically informed conservation practices. This work utilizes a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach to generate genomic data for use in population genetics analyses. I found that all populations appear to be genetically healthy, with high levels of heterozygosity and no inbreeding. Western populations appear as one genetic unit with some sub-structuring, while central-eastern populations are genetically different from western populations and other populations along the Susquehanna River system. Given the genetic isolation seen within the Susquehanna River populations, potential inbreeding may be of concern in the future. My research provides an updated, scientifically-backed conservation status assessment of C. latifolium in Pennsylvania. This project combines rare plant survey protocols by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy with genetic work at Bucknell University to address broad conservation questions.

1 - Bucknell University, Biology, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
2 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
3 - Chicago Botanic Garden, Science Dept., 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
4 - Bucknell University, Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States

Keywords:
Poaceae
Chasmanthium
river oats
rare species
conservation
Population genomics
GBS
Pennsylvania.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ECO6, Ecology: Restoration and Conservation
Location: /
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM(EDT)
Number: ECO6005
Abstract ID:427
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award