Abstract Detail

Systematics

Morrison, Glen R [1], Jolles, Diana [2], Drew, Makayla [3], Buehlman, Angela [4], Huang, Yi [5], Abbo, Tito [1], Parker, V. T. [6], Keeley, Jon E. [7], Litt, Amy [8].

Delimiting manzanita species with morphological data, and morphological data collection in a classroom setting.

Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp., Ericaceae) are the most species- diverse woody genus in western North America, with sixty species, most of which are confined to the Mediterranean-type climate region of the California Floristic Province (CFP). While the genus is rich in species, morphological differences among many species are subtle, and identifying them, and differentiating among them is notoriously challenging for botanists working in the CFP. As part of a larger study that will also include next-generation sequencing data, to investigate and clarify species boundaries in the genus, we are collecting morphological data from a large number of species, populations, and individuals, including a large number of variables that have featured prominently in manzanita taxonomy. These data will be used in conjunction with molecular data to perform integrated species delimitation. Here, we present an analysis of the morphological data, testing morphological differences among species and populations within species. These data were collected from herbarium specimens of recent collections of eleven species, including three widespread species that were represented by samples of three populations each. We evaluated evidence for morphological distinction of these species and populations using ordination (principal components analysis) and classification methods (linear discrimination analysis). We find evidence for morphological distinction among the species including, and discuss the meaning of these results, limitations, and other considerations of the analyzed dataset. Additionally, we present a pilot study conducted to gather data of this type in an undergraduate classroom setting, with the joint aims of providing an educational opportunity for students to participate in a real scientific study, while increasing the rate of data acquisition. Finally, we evaluate the reliability of morphological data collected in the classroom setting.

1 - University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, United States
2 - Plymouth State University, Biological Sciences, 17 High Street, Msc 48, Plymouth, NH, 03264, United States
3 - Virginia State University
4 - 2459 Antelope Dr., Corona, CA, 92882, United States
5 - Riverside, CA, United States
6 - 5353 La Jolla Blvd, Unit 37, San Diego, CA, 92037, United States
7 - United States Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, 40298 Junction Dr, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA
8 - University Of California Riverside, Botany Dept, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, United States

Keywords:
morphology
ericaceae
California
Arctostaphylos
species delimitation
Herbarium
educational.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: SYST II013
Abstract ID:270
Candidate for Awards:None