Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Columbus, J. travis [1], Denham, Silvia [2], Ingram, Amanda [3], Lehman, Kristen [4], Zuniga, Jose [5], Kiel, Carrie [6], Chhetri, Hari [7], Fisher, Amanda [8].

Phylogenetics of Sporobolus and relatives (Poaceae, Chloridoideae).

Sporobolus (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) is distributed worldwide, primarily in the tropics and subtropics, and includes nearly 200 species, many of which are halophytes. Previous molecular phylogenetic research has demonstrated that several other genera are nested within Sporobolus, rendering it paraphyletic. Among these genera is Spartina. In order to improve our understanding of relationships, trait evolution, and historical biogeography in the Sporobolus clade, we expanded sampling appreciably to include most species from the Americas, Australia, and southern Africa, and employed several chloroplast and nuclear loci for phylogenetic estimation. Noteworthy morphological shifts include a transition to a racemose inflorescence (primary branches only) in Spartina from paniculate, and from single to multiple florets per spikelet in a few species. The geographical history of the clade is complex, but the earliest diverging clades are African, and a number of intercontinental dispersal events are inferred.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont, CA, 91711-3157, USA
2 - Instituto de Botánica Darwinion, Casilla de Correo 22, B1642HYD, San Isidro, Argentina
3 - Wabash College, Department Of Biology, P.O. BOX 352, CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN, 47933, USA
4 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Research, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
5 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Botany, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
6 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 North College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
7 - West Virginia University, Biology, P.O. Box 6057, Morgantown, WV, 26506
8 - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA, 91711, USA

Keywords:
Poaceae
Chloridoideae
Sporobolus.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 15
Location: Franklin B/Hyatt
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 4:00 PM
Number: 15010
Abstract ID:953