Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Hevroy, Tanya Helena [1], Moody, Michael [2], Krauss, Siegy [3].

Who is sleeping with whom? Resolving cryptic relationships in the Grevillea thelemanniana (Proteaceae) species complex.

The Grevillea thelemanniana Lindl (Proteaceae) species complex is distributed in fragmented populations primarily across the southwest Western Australia international Biodiversity Hotspot. A number of the species are listed as endangered, rare or poorly known (DEC) and many recognized species have highly restricted distributions and are of conservation concern. Species delimitation in the complex has been problematic due to high morphological variation within species, the prevalence of overlapping ranges, and suspected hybridization. While several subspecies were recently elevated to species status the recognition of a recently phrase named species and subspecies in the complex of high conservation priority has instigated a molecular approach to evaluate species delimitation. In this study we present the first molecular assessment of the Grevillea thelemanniana complex using the two chloroplast (trnF-trnL and trnL-rpS4) and 12 nDNA microsatellite markers developed for Grevillea thelemanniana subsp. thelemanniana to evaluate inter specific relationships and test taxonomic limits across their natural ranges. Phylogenetic analysis of cpDNA revealed two distinct clades within the complex relating to a north/south split, with the southern clade showing a close relationship to the Grevillea hakeoides species complex, calling into question the monophyly of the thelemanniana complex. The results from nDNA microsatellite data was mostly congruent with the chloroplast data, however there was evidence to suggest hybrid origins between some species within the complex. While our analysis showed little support for some described species, our data support and we recommend recognition of the phrase named species Grevillea Gillingara (critically endangered) and elevation to species status of Grevillea thelemanniana subsp. Cooljarloo (high priority) which clearly emerged as distinct lineages within our analyses. The phylogeny developed here lays the groundwork for future assessments of important but cryptic Grevillea complexes in Australia.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Western Australia, School of Plant Biology, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
2 - University of Texas At El Paso, Department of Biology, 500 W. University Ave., Bioscience Bldg 2.120, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
3 - KINGS PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN, FRASER AVE, WEST PERTH, WA, 6005, Australia

Keywords:
Phylogeny
cpDNA
nuclear microsatellite
Grevillea
species complex.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 37
Location: Belle-Chasse/Riverside Hilton
Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM
Number: 37006
Abstract ID:111
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award