Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Chong, Jer Pin [1], Zaya, David [2], Ashley, Mary [3], Coons, Janice [4], Molano-Flores, Brenda [2].

Genetic relatedness of three Physaria species in northwestern Arizona.

Assessing patterns of genetic diversity for closely related congeners is often challenging but critical when evaluating the status of rare plant taxa. In this study, we used microsatellite genotyping to examine the genetic relatedness of Physaria on the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona. Physaria are perennial forbs that are widely distributed in Western North America. In the Kaibab Plateau, several taxa of Physaria can be found including P. arizonica, P. kingii subsp. latifolia, and P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis. Unlike its widespread congeners, P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis (the Kaibab bladderpod) is rare and endemic to the Kaibab Plateau. An ongoing conservation effort attempts to include P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis as a potential candidate to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Our goal is to understand the genetic structure of Physaria populations on the Kaibab Plateau and examine whether gene flow occurs between P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis and its congeners. We genotyped leaf samples from 380 individuals collected from 19 populations (12 P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis, 4 P. kingii subsp. latifolia, and 3 P. arizonica) using eight microsatellite loci. Our results showed that P. arizonica and P. kingii are genetically distinct, which supports their species designation that was based primarily on morphological characters. However, we did not detect genetic differentiation between P. kingii subsp. latifolia and P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis within the study area. STRUCTURE analysis showed subtle population structure at K = 3, but clusters did not correspond to the current designation of P. kingii subspecies. Based on our findings, the conservation status and management strategies for P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis may need to be re-evaluated.

1 - University of Illinois at Chicago, Biological Sciences, 845 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL, 60607, US
2 - University Of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
3 - University Of Illinois At Chicago, Biological Sciences, 845 W. Taylor St., M/C 066, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
4 - 305 Robin Lane, Minonk, IL, 61760, United States

Keywords:
Physaria
congeners
Subspecies
microsatellite
Rare plants.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: CB02, Conservation Biology 2
Location: /
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM(EDT)
Number: CB02007
Abstract ID:779
Candidate for Awards:None