Abstract Detail

Systematics

McKain, Michael [1], Neumann, Emma [2], Houck, Jake [2], Autrey, Oliver [3], Kolawole, Anu [4], Yamamoto, Moeka [4], Padmanabhan, Neeraj [4], Hoffman, Adrianna [4], Fischer, Torey [4], Mitchell, Benjamin [4], Bennett, Cameron [4], Mallick, Haaniya [4], Edger, Patrick [5].

Evolutionary Relationships of Blueberries and Their Relatives.

The genus Vaccinium includes many agriculturally important fruits such as cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry, and lingonberry. This group of small shrubs includes 223 species and is found across the Northern Hemisphere, preferring cooler areas and acidic soils. Despite their popularity and widespread distribution, relationships among Vaccinium species are not well understood. Hybridization is likely common, and it has been used extensively in improving blueberry cultivars to produce desirable traits. In this study, we used genome sequencing data to assemble 42 whole chloroplast genomes representing 34 Vaccinium species, a putative hybrid, and the outgroup Rhododendron delavayi. Many of the species fall into clades demonstrating the historical taxonomy of the genus. Interestingly, the section Cyanococcus, which includes the commercial blueberry, is very unresolved and has low support values for relationships. The lack of resolution is likely the result of hybridization, as evident by the lack of monophyletic clades for many species, and a relatively recent diversification. This first look at relationships in the blueberry genus using whole chloroplast genomes will help elucidate the evolution of these common, woodland species. Future work will add additional taxa with extensive sampling from North America, including the southern U.S., to further explore the evolution of this native fruit.

1 - The University of Alabama, Biological Sciences, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, United States
2 - The University of Alabama, Biological Sciences, 300 Hackberry Lane, Box 870344, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, United States
3 - Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture, 1066 Bogue St, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
4 - Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture, 1066 Bogue St, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
5 - Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA

Keywords:
whole chloroplast
Phylogenomics
Vaccinium
Ericaceae
Hybridization.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Systematics
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSY021
Abstract ID:934
Candidate for Awards:None