Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Guzman-Zaragoza, Lizette [1], de la Torre, Jose [2], Burge, Dylan [3], Parker, Tom [4].

Molecular systematics of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae) using whole genome sequencing.

Arctostaphylos (manzanitas) is a genus of shrubs and trees that are found in the California Floristic Province. More than half of the species of Arctostaphylos are listed as rare or endangered according to the California Native Plant Society. Similar characteristics of flowers, leaves, and fruit amongst species have made morphology based phylogenies impractical. Previous sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S regions and five chloroplast regions established a well defined two clade phylogeny for Arctostaphylos, but failed to resolve the species relationships within each clade. We will use whole genome sequencing to find novel informative markers in the Arctostaphylos nuclear and chloroplast genomes in order to solve species relationships within both established clades. The novel genetic markers from our study will serve as a baseline for the eventual sequencing of all other species within Arctostaphylos, resulting in a new phylogenomic perspective on manzanita evolution. Having a fully resolved phylogeny of Arctostaphylos will aid in understanding patterns of ecological and geographical distribution variation and can serve as a model system in understanding rapid evolution in other woody plant genera.

1 - San Francisco State University , Biology, 1600 Holloway Avenue, Hensill Hall 454, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
2 - San Francisco State University, Biology, 1600 Holloway Avenue, Hensill Hall 437, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
3 - University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
4 - San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, Department Of Biology, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA

Keywords:
arctostaphylos
manzanita
Ericaceae
High-throughput Sequencing
next generation sequencing
whole genome sequencing
phylogenomics.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY029
Abstract ID:801
Candidate for Awards:None