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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1751-5962
Date of Graduation
5-9-2024
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Biology
Second Advisor
Heather Griscom
Third Advisor
Karen Barnard-Kubow
Abstract
Piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla) is a native, rare, shrub found along the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Research on its ecology and genetic diversity is limited due to its rarity; only one population on Poor Mountain has been studied extensively in the past. To determine if there are ecological differences between populations of B. distichophylla, research on sex distribution, floral visitors, individual length, leaf area, and amount of light that reached each specimen were conducted and then compared between a population located on Dragon’s Tooth Trail and a population on Poor Mountain, both located in Virginia. Research on genetic diversity between different populations was also conducted to determine if chloroplast DNA was changing due to reproductive isolation. Ecological results determined that both populations were significantly male dominated, the main floral visitors were sweat bees (Family Halictidae) and male individuals received the most floral visitors, total leaf area was significantly greater in females but not significantly different between individuals, and there was no relationship between amount of light and individual length. Genetic results determined that populations of B. distichophylla had 3 different haplotypes within the trnLCF, trnF DR region and that these haplotypes were typically grouped by region. These results provide more information on the intricacies of B. distichophylla, and may help future conservationists and researchers determine how best to preserve the species.
