Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Cliver, Brannan [1], Jones, Daniel [2].

Using comparative genomics to elucidate the distribution and life histories of Jamesianthus alabamensis and related genera.

Jamesianthus alabamensis Blake and Sherff, is an Alabama endemic Asteraceae species first described in 1940 in Franklin County, Alabama. J. alabamensis is the only species in the monotypic genus Jamesianthus, and it’s nested within the core Tageteae (the marigold tribe) closely related to the cultivated marigold genus Tagetes. Jamesianthus has a limited distribution across Alabama, mainly across the northern parts of the state, with most herbarium specimens coming from northwestern Alabama. Jamesianthus is most closely related to Arnicastrum, a genus that contains two species, and Clappia, another monotypic genus. The life histories of these related genera are fascinating because of their distributions; Jamesianthus in Alabama, Arnicastrum in Mexico, and Clappia in Texas. Interestingly, both Jamesianthus and Clappia have unusual chromosome numbers (n = 16) for species in this tribe while Arnicastrum has not been determined yet. Using comparative genomics, we aim to identify genome-scale changes or events shared by these three taxa that could explain their similar life histories. This study has a particular focus on J. alabamensis, where we plan on leveraging population-level data to understand its restricted distribution across Alabama as a part of a focused conservation effort.

1 - Auburn University, Department of Biological Sciences, 101 Rouse Life Sciences Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
2 - Auburn University, Biological Sciences, 101 Rouse Life Sciences, 332, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States

Keywords:
conservation
genomics
Tageteae.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PCB004
Abstract ID:252
Candidate for Awards:None