Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Islam, Melissa [1], Neale, Jennifer Ramp [2], Schwabe , Anna L [3].

Use of genetic analyses to distinguish the rare Corispermum navicula from its widespread, sympatric relative to inform management in the Northern Colorado Sand Dunes.

Corispermum navicula occurs only in two cold-climate sand dunes of Northern Colorado. These two dune complexes are about six miles apart and together constitute a total of six square miles of habitat for C. navicula. The two dunes are both public lands but are managed by two different agencies with varying degrees of protection from development and use. Because of the narrow distribution and known threats to C. navicula’s primary habitat from off-road vehicle use, this species is slated for review by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Identification of C. navicula from its sympatric relative, C. americanum, has proven less than straightforward, raising questions about the circumscription of C. navicula. Corispermum americanum, widespread through the US in sandy soils, is thought to occur at both dunes and possibly hybridize with C. navicula. Or, alternatively C. navicula is a phenotypic variant of C. americanum. The federal and state management agencies involved with this species need taxonomic resolution. We combined evidence from phylogenetics (four loci), population genetics (ISSR), and morphology to test C. navicula’s species identity as compared to C. americanum and C. villosum, which also occurs in Colorado but is distinct morphologically and geographically. By including C. villosum, we were able to distinguish differences between C. americanum and C. navicula as well as determine the degree of introgression of C. americanum and C. navicula. We summarize species delimitation of C. navicula based on multiple types of evidence and three species criteria, and how our results directly impact future management of the two dune complexes.

1 - Denver Botanic Gardens, Research & Conservation, 1005 York Street, Denver, CO, 80206, USA
2 - Denver Botanic Gardens, Research & Conservation, 909 York Street, Denver, CO, 80206, USA
3 - Denver Botanic Gardens, Research & Conservation, 909 York Street, Denver, CO, 80206, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 16
Location: Firs North/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 11:45 AM
Number: 16015
Abstract ID:458
Candidate for Awards:None