Abstract Detail

Floristics & Taxonomy

Cloud-Hughes, Michelle [1], Baker, Marc [2].

Reassessment of subspecific taxa within Pediocactus peeblesianus by multivariate analysis of morphological characters.

A study was undertaken to determine whether there are groups of populations within Pediocactus peeblesianus that possess combinations of morphological characters that are significantly different between or among groups and whether any such groupings correlate with geography. A total of 323 individuals were measures for 17 stem characters in 11 populations, including three populations of the outgroup Pediocactus sileri. Our data suggested no practical way to segretate groups of populations within Pediocactus peeblesianus, and that none of the potential morphological groupings are well-correlated with geography, although a weak morphological cline occurs from west to east. Values for four characters correlated significantly for those for stem diameter, indicating that a significant amount of morphological variation within Pediocactus peeblesianus can be explained by plant size. Historically, P. pebblesianus var. peeblesianus were apparently based on neotenous individuals occurring on very shallow soils, while those of the federally-listed P. peeblesianus var. fickeisenii were based on those occurring on deeper soils, farther west on the cline.

1 - Desert Solitaire Botany And Ecological Restoration, 3622 Jackdaw Street, San Diego, 92103, United States
2 - Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, 427 E Tyler Mall , Tempe, AZ, 85281

Keywords:
Pediocactus
Taxonomy.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: FT1, Floristics & Taxonomy I
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2020
Time: 10:45 AM
Number: FT1FT004
Abstract ID:442
Candidate for Awards:None