Abstract Detail

The Future of Herbarium Genetics and Genomics

Beck, James Benjamin [1].

Investigating the biogeography and evolution of widespread species with large sets of herbarium specimens.

Can you think of a piece of research that incorporated too many specimens? On the contrary, most studies with a spatial component are at least partially limited by insufficient sampling. While rewarding, extensive fieldwork is expensive, time consuming, and increasingly difficult due to conservation and political concerns. This sampling limitation is particularly acute with regards to widespread species, many of which are of enormous biological (ecosystem dominants, invasive species) and economic (timber, forage grasses) consequence. Many researchers avoid these large-ranged taxa or employ sampling designs that are sparse and/or highly geographically biased. Centering project designs around large sets of herbarium-extracted DNAs is an obvious alternative, but one that remains surprisingly under-utilized. Obstacles perhaps include an inability to obtain genetic/genomic data from herbarium tissue, a demand for within-population sampling, and uncertainty regarding working with a large network of museum curators. These potential limitations are discussed in the context of three ongoing studies of widespread North American species, all of which are centered on herbarium sampling.

1 - Wichita State University, Biology, 1845 Fairmount, Box 26, Wichita, KS, 67260-0026, USA

Keywords:
herbarium
herbarium DNA
North America
widespread species.

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Session: SY04, The Future of Herbarium Genetics and Genomics
Location: Chatham Ballroom - B/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 2:15 PM
Number: SY04003
Abstract ID:81
Candidate for Awards:None