Abstract Detail

Systematics

Morris, Ashley [1], Shaw, Joey [2], Germain-Aubrey, Charlotte [3], Beck, James Benjamin [1].

Documenting a need for community data standards and a call for a new collaborative network in plant systematics and phylogeography.

Many taxonomic questions are dependent on genetically and geographically high-resolution data collected consistently through space and time. The costs associated with such projects often result in decisions to limit sampling, either in the field or in the lab, which ultimately impacts the inferences that can be made from these data. To better understand the current state of the field of plant phylogeography, we reviewed the literature using a structured search strategy. Using Web of Science, we searched “phylogeography or phylogeographic” limited to the years 2007-2015. We further limited our search using “*aceae” to target plant studies, and then we focused only on studies in the top ten source titles. Additional papers were excluded on the basis of previously identified criteria, resulting in just over 300 papers for review. Our results identify gaps in phylogenetic coverage, an inverse relationship between marker choice and potential marker utility, and infrequent use of quantitative approaches to divergence time estimation and species distribution models. We propose a need for community standards in data collection and reporting. We also propose a framework for a collaborative network of researchers and educators to tackle taxonomic questions in the Southeastern US using standardized approaches to phylogeographic data collection. Institutions and herbaria will work together to generate large-scale, high-resolution genetic data to address outstanding questions in plant taxonomy, biogeography, and evolution. This network will develop community standards for data collection and sharing, insuring that participants collect data consistently and are appropriately acknowledged for their contributions. Data collection for a given project could be completed in the context of a class laboratory or through undergraduate or graduate researchers. Such a network would be particularly valuable to researchers with high teaching loads, those who mentor M.S. research exclusively, or to curators of small collections, all of whom have the potential to contribute valuable information but may be limited by time and resource investment. The network concept builds on the successes of previously funded NSF Research Coordination Networks (RCNs) such as EREN (Ecological Research in Education Network) and SERNEC (SouthEast Regional Network of Expertise and Collections), while integrating the expertise provided by iDigBio (integrated Digitization of Biological Collections).

1 - Middle Tennessee State University, Department of Biology, 1301 E. Main Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 37132, United States
2 - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN, 37403, USA
3 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, Dickinson HAll, Museum Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

Keywords:
Phylogeography
Systematics
southeastern US
taxonomy
regional network.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 47, Systematic Methods, Herbarium Digitization & Floristics
Location: 203/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 47002
Abstract ID:753
Candidate for Awards:None