| Abstract Detail
Ecology Barnes, Anais [1], Williams, Tanisha [2], Wickers, Maddie [3], Schuette, Scott [4], Martine, Christopher [5]. Assessing the geographic distribution and conservation status of Heuchera alba and Heuchera pubescens using field surveys, morphology and genomics methods: Preliminary findings. Heuchera alba and H. pubescens (Saxifragaceae) are closely related species of the Appalachian Region of eastern North America that are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Heuchera pubescens is currently understood to occupy a range from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, with the distribution of H. alba restricted to Virginia and West Virginia – plus a recently-recorded extension into Pennsylvania discovered with the help of Twitter. The uncovering of H. alba in Pennsylvania has challenged historical perceptions of Heuchera distributions in the state, particularly as this relates to current records for H. pubescens. This study seeks to ground-truth records of H. pubescens in the state in an effort to assess the true distributions of the two species under study and then compare the statewide genetic status/health of each species. As part of a partnership between Bucknell University and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy this work will begin with substantial fieldwork and culminate with the use of population genomics to generate measures of genetic diversity and population structure – with the goal of updating the conservation status for each study species and to inform future conservation management of H. alba, H. pubescens, or both.
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1 - Bucknell University, Biology, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
2 - Bucknell University, Biology, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
3 - Bucknell University , C6885, 701 Moore Ave , Lewisburg , PA, 17837, United States
4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
5 - Bucknell University, Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
Keywords:
Heuchera
Saxifragaceae
conservation
Population genomics
species distribution
Pennsylvania
Morphometrics.
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P1, Ecology Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Monday, July 19th, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P1EC019
Abstract ID:718
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award |
