Distribution of chemistry and sexual fecundity in the lichenized-fungi, Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia and Xanthoparmelia coloradoensis on Boulder Mountain, Aquarius Plateau, UT

<p>Three aspects of <em>Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia</em> and <em>Xanthoparmelia coloradoënsis</em> populations found at two elevations are explored: clustering of secondary chemicals and the resulting implications for taxonomic distinctions, the usefulness of thallus size as an indirect measure of sexual fecundity, and the frequency of sexual reproduction.</p> <p>First, we use clustering of 46 chemicals produced by <em>X. cumberlandia</em> and <em>X. coloradoënsis</em> to evaluate the adequacy of the current taxonomic distinction between them. Using principal components analysis and UPGMA, we find that the currently recognized species boundaries indicated by the presence of stictic acid in <em>X. cumberlandia</em> and salazinic acid in <em>X. coloradoënsis</em> are supported by distinct differences in their chemotypes (combinations of secondary chemicals). Norstictic acid, which the literature also associates with <em>X. cumberlandia</em>, is found frequently in both<em> X. cumberlandia</em> and <em>X. coloradoënsis</em>, and is not a good distinguishing characteristic. No chemical difference between sexually fecund and sterile individuals was found.</p> <p>Second, we test the claim that thallus size can be used as an indirect measure of sexual fecundity. By comparing the number of apothecia, the total area of the apothecia, and the presence or absence of apothecia with thallus area, we found positive correlations between these measures of sexual fecundity and thallus size which are statistically significant. However, the total variation explained by these predictors is limited, and is significantly affected by elevation and micro-environmental features such as proximity to trees. We conclude that size is not a reliable synonym for sexual fecundity in <em>X. cumberlandia</em> and <em>X. coloradoënsis</em>.</p> <p>Third, we make inferences concerning the frequency of sexual reproduction based on the frequency of sexual structures, rare chemicals, and unique chemotypes. We predicted that sexual reproduction would be more frequent at lower elevations, consistent with a common pattern found in plants and animals. The frequency of sexual structures indicates that sexual reproduction is more common at the lower elevation, while frequency of rare chemicals and chemotypes implies that outcrossing is more common at the upper elevation. Since these indicators lead to opposing conclusions, we encourage the use of molecular markers to estimate the frequency of outcrossing directly.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Jackson, Heather Bird

• Xanthoparmelia
• Parmeliaceae
• lichen
• size
• fecundity
• chemotype
• evolution of sex
• geographic parthenogenesis
• secondary chemicals
• Biology

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/206

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-1205