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Abstract Detail


Systematics Section

Burke, Janelle [1].

Relationships and species boundaries in Antigonon : implications for invasive biology and the identity of Corallita.

Although Antigonon (Polygonaceae) is a small easily-recognized genus, the boundaries of species within it have never been resolved satisfactorily. Antigonon leptopus is also known as Corallita, a pantropical invasive vine particularly problematic on islands. It is the most widespread and broadly circumscribed species in the genus. To investigate relationships among taxa in the genus, and inform species delimitation, a systematic study was undertaken using molecular data from chloroplast intergenic spacers ( psaI-accD, psbA-trnH ) and the second intron of LFY . Both sets of molecular data support two clades within the genus, which is also concordant with several morphological characters. Four species are proposed within the genus, with two subspecies in A. leptopus . Spread of the invasive were investigated using data collected for this project. Label data from herbarium specimens were used to map the spread of invasive A. leptopus (Corallita) over time. These data show the history of Corallita introduced as a garden ornamental, with subsequent naturalization and escape. The introduction across the tropics mostly occurred in the early twentieth century. Chloroplast haplotype data suggest introductions outside the native range were not from one seed source.

Broader Impacts:
The first step of research on an invasive organism is to develop an understanding of its identity and distribution. A systematic study, with a taxonomic revision, will allow us to identify species of Antigonon and the invasive entities in the genus.


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1 - Cornell University, L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Department of Plant Biology, 412 Mann Library, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

Keywords:
Antigonon
Corallita
Polygonaceae
LEAFY
Invasive Species.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 55
Location: 554/Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 55004
Abstract ID:710


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