Title of Submission
Convergent Evolution in Three Alpine Endemic Lomatium Species (Apiaceae)
Degree Program
Biology, MS
Major Advisor Name
James Smith
Type of Submission
Scholarly Poster
Abstract
Convergent evolution is the independent origin of similar phenotypes. Three Lomatium species are endemic to two isolated mountain ranges in northeastern Oregon. Previous studies have suggested that two of these taxa share a recent common ancestor. Using molecular and environmental data, this study aims to investigate evolutionarily relationships between these Lomatium species to determine if their similarities are the result of convergence or shared ancestry. Each alpine endemic occupies a different phylogenetic position indicating that convergent evolution is responsible for the shared morphologies. Increased conservation measures are urged for these plants because each species represents a unique alpine adapted lineage.