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An Integrative Taxonomic Study of Ramps (Allium tricoccum Aiton) Complex

Sitepu, Bina Swasta
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534064390052709

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences).
The Allium tricoccum complex is native to eastern North America and encompasses broad and confusing morphological variation. Previous studies have led to contrary classifications to account for the diversity of morphologies in the Allium tricoccum complex. Living plants of the complex, leaf tissue samples and soil samples were collected from 28 natural populations in seven states. Plants were cultivated in the Ohio University common garden for biweekly observations of morphological traits; growth patterns and phenology of leaves, flowers and fruits; and weekly photography of plant structures. Morphology, phenology, ecology, and genetic diversity were analyzed to delineate and compare distinct taxa found in the Allium tricoccum complex. Two new characteristics of the species were described for the first time: scape growth direction (orientation) and depth of bulb in the ground. Two major groups in the Allium tricoccum complex, Red Ramps (A. tricoccum sensu stricto) and Green Ramps, were broadly distinguished based on many differences in leaf shape and size; pigmentation of leaf, scape and bulb; number of buds, flowers and fruits; scape growth direction, bulb size and depth in the ground. Three distinctive taxa within the broader Green Ramps group were separated based on differences in morphology, ecology, phenology and geography.The Green Ramps group consisted of A. burdickii (Hanes) G. N. Jones in the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions; a South Green Ramps taxon in the Interior Highlands of Kentucky and Tennessee, similar to A. burdickii but distinct in its tendencies toward narrower leaves, more flowers, shorter perianth and shorter stamens, consistent retention of leaves during scape elongation, and preference for more silty or clayey soils; and a Highland Green Ramps taxon in the Appalachian Mountain region, producing broader distinctly petiolate leaves similar to A. tricoccum, with somewhat intermediate flower and fruit traits between A. burdickii and A. tricoccum,absence of reddish-purple pigmentation, and deep bulb and erect scape characteristic of the other Green Ramps taxa. Microsatellite markers failed to provide genetic differentiation among the four taxa, but did provide separation of populations within each, suggesting that loci adapted from cultivated garlic cultivars may be too variable at the species level for the wild species in the A. tricoccum complex. Corroborative evidence from macromorphology, phenology and ecology, and application of the Unified Species Concept, rejected usage of one or two taxa previously proposed, and instead supported the recognition of four distinct evolutionary species to accommodate diversity in the A. tricoccum complex.
Harvey E. Ballard (Advisor)
Arthur Trese (Committee Member)
Rebecca S. Snell (Committee Member)
204 p.
Botany; Ecology; Morphology; Plant Biology; Systematic
Allium tricoccum; Allium burdickii; systematic; integrative taxonomy; species complex; Morphology; ecology; phenology; species distribution model

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sitepu, B. S. (2018). An Integrative Taxonomic Study of Ramps (Allium tricoccum Aiton) Complex [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534064390052709

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sitepu, Bina. An Integrative Taxonomic Study of Ramps (Allium tricoccum Aiton) Complex. 2018. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534064390052709.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sitepu, Bina. "An Integrative Taxonomic Study of Ramps (Allium tricoccum Aiton) Complex." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534064390052709

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.