Phylogenetic placement of the newly described clover Trifolium kentuckiense (Fabaceae)
Major
Pre-medical Biology
Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Brad R. Ruhfel
Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Recommended Citation
Scholer, Megan, "Phylogenetic placement of the newly described clover Trifolium kentuckiense (Fabaceae)" (2015). University Presentation Showcase Event. 39.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2015/undergraduate/39
Abstract
In this study we attempt to resolve the phylogenetic placement of the recently described clover, Trifolium kentuckiense (Fabaceae). To do so, we analyzed data from non-coding plastid (trnL and ndhA introns) and nuclear (ITS) nucleotide sequence data using maximum likelihood inference. We also examined the ability of the little utilized ndhA intron to resolve relationships in Trifolium, in comparison to the more widely used trnL region. We present evidence indicating that T. kentuckiense is strongly placed within a clade of annual clovers including T. reflexum, a morphologically similar species. Additionally, we find that the ndhA intron is more variable than trnL and thus more successful at resolving relationships within Trifolium. Furthurmore, analysis of the ndhA intron revealed strongly supported conflict between the plastid and nuclear genomes that was not evident in analyses of trnL.
Key words: buffalo clover; ITS; ndhA; noncoding DNA; trnL
Presentation format
Other
Poster Number
45
Phylogenetic placement of the newly described clover Trifolium kentuckiense (Fabaceae)
In this study we attempt to resolve the phylogenetic placement of the recently described clover, Trifolium kentuckiense (Fabaceae). To do so, we analyzed data from non-coding plastid (trnL and ndhA introns) and nuclear (ITS) nucleotide sequence data using maximum likelihood inference. We also examined the ability of the little utilized ndhA intron to resolve relationships in Trifolium, in comparison to the more widely used trnL region. We present evidence indicating that T. kentuckiense is strongly placed within a clade of annual clovers including T. reflexum, a morphologically similar species. Additionally, we find that the ndhA intron is more variable than trnL and thus more successful at resolving relationships within Trifolium. Furthurmore, analysis of the ndhA intron revealed strongly supported conflict between the plastid and nuclear genomes that was not evident in analyses of trnL.
Key words: buffalo clover; ITS; ndhA; noncoding DNA; trnL
