Population Genetics and Population History of Moehringia macrophylla, a Rare and Endangered New England Serpentine Plant

Abstract

As climate change intensifies, habitats around the world are shifting, shrinking and growing. An understanding of species distribution is important as they must adapt and move in response to these changes. The ability to perform genetic research has expanded greatly in recent years, allowing researchers to sequence whole genomes, compare populations, and perform a wide variety of analyses. I worked with the species Moehringia macrophylla, a small flowering plant that grows on rocky outcrops and cliff crevices throughout New England. Its habitat is one usually considered to be harsh and uninhabitable for most other plant species, yet M. macrophylla has found its home there. M. macrophylla also makes for a rich study system because it follows a disjunct distribution pattern across the continent, with large uninhabited areas between habitats and a patchy distribution within the regions it does inhabit. I’ve used methodology of population genetics to dive into the makeup of M. macrophylla and pick apart questions of genetic diversity, population structure, and isolation. I’ve also investigated the geological habitat of sample locations to determine the edaphic pressures M. macrophylla is living in. I’m interested in how these methods can be used in the context of focused conservation efforts and land use decisions, and what these results may indicate for the adaptation of M. macrophylla.