Work

Genetic Structure of the Mecardonia acuminata (Plantaginaceae) Complex in the Southeastern USA

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mecardonia acuminata (Plantaginaceae) is found in the southeastern United States and has traditionally been divided into three varieties. A quantitative analysis of morphological data supported the division into the three varieties, although the ranges of the varieties found in that study were not the same as their traditional ranges. Here we use ISSR data to examine the relationships of 238 individuals from 23 locations throughout the range of M. acuminata. Although there is genetic structure that is congruent across different analyses, the groups recovered are not consistent with morphology or geography. The results indicate eastern-western distributions of the species with centers of diversity not only in the south but as far north as the Central Basin of the Interior Low Plateaus. The results further suggest ongoing diversification of lineages of M. acuminata, or the presence of widespread genes that govern the morphological traits that are traditionally used in delimitating the varieties.

Source: Oklahoma Native Plant Record

DOI: 10.22488/okstate.25.100002

Authors: Adjoa Ahedor, Jennifer Messick, Wayne Elisens, Abigail Moore

Institutions: Christopher Newport University, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma

Language: English

Topic: Genetic diversity and population structure

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: University of Oklahoma

OpenAlex ID: W4414602958

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