| Abstract Detail
Systematics Section / ASPT Schenk, John J. [1], Hufford, Larry [2]. Evolutionary relationships of the Mentzelia multicaulis complex (Loasaceae). Mentzelia multicaulis has been recognized to have several varieties endemic to the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau. Mentzelia multicaulis and other Rocky Mountain, Intermountain, and Mohave Desert species of Mentzelia share persistent subterranean branched caudices that give rise to annual photosynthetic/reproductive branches. Most varieties of M. multicaulis and other subshrubby perennials of section Bartonia are locally endemic and occur predominately on talus slopes and gypsum-influenced soils. Our preliminary phylogenetic analyses point to the paraphyly of M. multicaulis. Other subshrubby perennials and, possibly, a broader clade of western North American mentzelias may be nested within M. multicaulis. For example, analyses using sequences of nrDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) found M. multicaulis var. multicaulis is most closely related to M. rhizomata; M. multicaulis var. librina is most closely related to M. shultziorum and together those two species are sister to M. multicaulis var. uintahensis; and M. multicaulis var. flumensevera is most closely related to M. argillosa and M. argillicola. Phylogenetic analysis of morphological data also recovers a paraphyletic M. multicaulis and resolves many of the same relationships recovered with the ITS data. No synapomorphies, either molecular or morphological, were found to support a monophyletic M. multicaulis that includes all recently recognized varieties.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, 312 Abelson Hall, PO Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, United States
2 - Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, Po Box 644236, Pullman, Washington, 99164-4236, USA
Keywords:
Mentzelia
Loasaceae
paraphyletic species
systematics.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P59052
Abstract ID:1543 |
