Abstract Detail

Systematics

King, Loren [1], Fama, Nicole [2], Barrett, Craig F. [3].

Phylogenetic relationships and growth form evolution in the Central American palm genus Brahea Mart. ex Endl.

The genus Brahea Mart. Ex Endl., known as the hesper palms, is composed of 12 species in the family Arecaceae. Members of this genus have been important resources in drier areas of Central America, yet phylogenetic relationships among its species remain poorly understood. The main goals of this project are to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among currently circumscribed species of Brahea, to compare these results with patterns of plastid genome evolution, and to determine the number of origins of the acaulescent (shrub-like) growth form. This study will be conducted by using PCR and Sanger sequencing of single-copy nuclear regions for samples collected from Huntington Botanical Garden in San Marino, California. Two nuclear primer pairs from previous studies were tested: Malate synthase and the CISP4 intron. The CISP4 intron was amplified successfully in all taxa expect for B. edulis H. Wendl. ex S. Watson and B. salvadorensis H. Wendl. ex Becc. Malate synthase was amplified successfully in all accessions except for B. dulcis (Kunth) Mart. DNAs were then re-extracted and amplified for the remaining samples. PCR products will be sequenced, edited, aligned, and then used for phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction of growth form (caulescent vs. acaulescent). Results will be compared to previous analyses based on plastid, mitochondrial, and ribosomal RNA data, which were generated via next generation sequencing. It is hypothesized that nuclear introns will show strong branch support, and that the acaulescent growth form has evolved multiple times in the genus from caulescent ancestors. The present study will serve as a basis for future investigations of morphology, gene flow, drought tolerance, biogeography, and genome evolution in this ecologically important genus.

1 - West Virginia University, Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
2 - West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, United States
3 - West Virginia University, Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, United States

Keywords:
Arecaceae
palms
low copy
nuclear
phylogenetics
tree
plant growth.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics
Location: Exhibit Hall/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSY009
Abstract ID:327
Candidate for Awards:None