Abstract Detail

Phylogenomics

McKain, Michael [1], Vela Diaz, Dilys [2], Zhong, Jinshun [3], Carlsen, Monica [4], Kellogg, Elizabeth [5].

Whole Plastome Phylogeny of Andropogoneae (Poaceae).

The monophyletic tribe Andropogoneae (Poaceae) is a morphologically diverse, economically important, and environmentally essential clade of C4 grasses. The group contains important food crops (Zea mays (corn), Sorghum bicolor, and Saccharum (sugarcane)), dominant species of the North American prairie (Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans) and African grasslands (Hyparrhenia spp. and Cymbopogon spp.), established ethanol fuels (Saccharum and Zea mays), emerging biofuels (Miscanthus spp.), and many noxious weeds (e.g., Imperata cylindrica and Sorghastrum halepense). Resolving the relationships between the approximately 85 genera has been difficult, especially among early diverging lineages. Previous work has demonstrated that the group, extended to include the genus Arundinella, is highly supported. There has been some phylogenetic resolution with highly supported clades of Zea/Tripsacum, Andropogon/Hyparrhenia/Schizachyrium, and Bothriochloa/Capillipedium/Dicanthium, but relationships between these clades and other important genera (e.g., Saccharum and Sorghum) are still unknown. Previous work has also suggested that there was a rapid radiation within the tribe, which could account for the difficulty in resolving the phylogeny. In order to resolve some of these deeper relationships, whole chloroplast genomes were sequenced and combined with publically available data for a total of 61 plastomes, representing over 40 genera and all established clades. Full plastome alignments were used to maximize the number of sites for phylogenetic analysis. Evolutionary implications of the plastid phylogeny are discussed in the context of genome size evolution, polyploidy, and morphological evolution, in addition to data from nuclear loci.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Missouri-St. Louis, Plant Biology, R223 Research Builiding, One University Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
2 - University of Missouri - St. Louis, Department Biology. 223 Research Building, One University Blvd., Saint Louis, MO, 63121-4499, USA
3 - Department of Biology, Research BLDG 223, One University Blvd, Saint Louis, MO, 63121, USA
4 - Missouri Botanical Garden, PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO, 63166, USA
5 - University of Missouri - St. Louis, Department of Biology, One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63121-4499, USA, 314/516-6217

Keywords:
Andropogoneae
Poaceae
plastid
Phylogenomics.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 36
Location: Magnolia/Riverside Hilton
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
Time: 3:15 PM
Number: 36007
Abstract ID:630
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award