A New Species of Claytonia from Feniak Lake: Assessing Morphological Variation, Niche

Space, and Genetics

Stephany Jeffers1, Steffi Ickert-Bond2, & David F. Murray3

1 Graduate Student, University of Alaska Museum of the North, 2 Assistant Professor of Botany and Curator of the UA Museum Herbarium (ALA), University of Alaska Fairbanks, 3 Curator Emeritus, University of Alaska Museum of the North

The genus Claytonia L. (Spring Beauty) is well recognized around Alaska for its attractive flower. Despite its charismatic appearance, there is much

confusion around the species delineation of Claytonia in Alaska.

The Genus: Claytonia

Limnia• 3 ovules• annual

Claytonia• 6 ovules• bulbs

Rhizomatosae• 6 ovules• caudex or

rhizome

FamilyMontiaceae

GenusClaytonia

SectionLimnia

perfoliata (invasive)sibirica

SectionClaytonia

acutifoliaeschscholtziimultiscapaogilviensistuberosa

SectionRhizomatosae

arcticaporsildii

sarmentosascammaniana

Alaskan Claytonia

1817 C. arctica Adams

1939 C. scammaniana Hultén

1981C. porsildii Jurtz

1829 C. sarmentosa C.A.

Mey.

Claytonia sect. Rhizomatosae

A. Gray ex Poelln. 1932

Young’s survey of Noatak

1974

Historical Perspective

C. eschscholtzii Cham.1831

C. acutifolia Pall. ex Willd.

1819

Research Questions

1 Taxonomic Identity

2 Morphological differences: ecological or genetic

3 Feniak Lake: new species

Distribution map of Claytonia in Alaska

Research Methods

-Specimen Review

-Field Collection

-Molecular analysis

-Ecological Niche Modeling

Type Description Review

1) Review of original publication

2) Translate Latin descriptions

3) Request Type Specimens

Variation within genus

C. acutifoliaC. arctica

C. tuberosa

C. scammaniana

C. megarhiza

Variation within speciesC. scammaniana

Review of type specimens and figures

Field work!• Noatak National Preserve– Collection of potentially new species

• Eagle Summit– Collection at Scamman’s original type location

• Aleutian Islands – Specimen for comparison to C. arctica type

• North Slope

Future Work

- Genetic Analysis- Ecological Niche Modeling- Greenhouse Experiment

And hopefully clarification…

Follow my work at: http://sites.google.com/a/alaska.edu/stephany-jeffers/

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to:Robin O’QuinnJordan Metzgar, Monte Garroutte, & Zachary MeyersAndrew Balser & Katie ChristieCarolyn Parker

Funding through:NPS Murie Science & Learning Center Research Fellowship