Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Zumwalde , Bethany A [1], Ballard, Harvey [2].

Preliminary Analysis of the Viola pedatifida Group and Evidence for a New Endemic Species.

The genus Viola (Violaceae) is a well-known temperate and tropical montane genus encompassing approximately 550-625 species and approximately two dozen infrageneric groups. One group, subsection Boreali-Americanae in Section Plagiostigma, also known as the acaulescent blue violets, is endemic to North America and contains 10-25 species, depending on the taxonomic treatment. The subsection is notorious for its extensive hybridization and introgression, and bewildering patterns of population and geographic variation in certain taxa. A small complex of violets in the subsection with lobed or dissected leaves is a "homophyllous" group in which plants produce only lobed or divided leaf blades throughout the year. This “Viola pedatifida” complex consists of three currently recognized taxa: Viola pedatifida G. Don., Viola brittoniana Pollard (sometimes treated as a subspecies of the first one), and Viola subsinuata (Greene) Greene (also treated by some as Viola palmata). Fieldwork from Dr. Harvey Ballard with Viola in spring and summer 2013 in the mountains of western Virginia suggested that disjunct populations presently assigned to V. pedatifida in shale woodlands are distinct in several morphological features from the Midwestern prairie violet and represent a fourth, undescribed species. The “Viola pedatifida” complex poses many problems for systematists because it includes taxa that are morphologically superficially similar and hybridize frequently with other species. Newly initiated studies are reevaluating morphological traits, using microsatellite population variation, and delineating microhabitat variables to compare and characterize the four taxa in the complex. Phenetic analyses of leaf, floral, and seed variables are presently being implemented to determine consistent morphological distinctions and resolve the relationship of these violets. Preliminary results using canonical variates analyses of leaf characteristics provides evidence suggesting that the four taxa are indeed distinct in foliage traits. Further morphological, genetic and ecological evidence to clarify distinctions, detect hybridization and untangle complex variation patterns will be discussed.

1 - Ohio University, Environmental And Plant Biology, 618 Carriage Hill Dr, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
2 - Ohio University, ENVIR & PLANT BIOLOGY-PORTER H, 315 Porter Hall, Athens, OH, 45701-2979, USA

Keywords:
Violaceae
Viola pedatifida
phenetic
systematics.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSY026
Abstract ID:293
Candidate for Awards:None