Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Winter 2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Jennifer Dechaine

Second Committee Member

Kristina Ernest

Third Committee Member

Linda Raubeson

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that species of Balsamroot, genus Balsamorhiza, hybridize readily in nature, but no study has quantitatively described the morphological types found in or the environmental characteristics of hybrid zones in this genus. Here, we investigate the relationship between morphological types and soil characteristics in four Balsamorhiza sagittata-hookeri putative hybrid zones in Grant County, Washington State, USA. Clustering analysis of morphological traits suggested that plants could be classified into two groups, a B. sagittata-like group and a B. hookeri-like group, although there was variation within each group. Over all sites, B. sagittata-like plants were significantly associated with increased P, K, B, pH, and deeper soil with less silt; whereas; B. hookeri-like plants had the opposite associations. These results suggest that two clear plant morphological types exist at each site and each is associated with certain soil characteristics. Future research should use molecular data to characterize the genetic structure of each morphological type, in order to better determine the presence and distribution of hybrids in these areas.

Comments

This thesis has been digitized and made available as part of the University’s ongoing preservation and access initiatives. Copyright is retained by the original author. The University has made a good faith effort to review this work for copyright and privacy concerns prior to digitization. If you are the author or a rights holder and have questions, concerns or wish to request removal, please contact ScholarWorks@cwu.edu.

Download

Share

COinS