Towards a comprehensive phylogeny of North American Delphinium (Ranunculaceae)
J. B. MEEK, D. COOK, D. A. R. EATON
Columbia University; Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department; Schermerhorn Extension 10th Floor, 1200 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027

Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) is a globally distributed genus composed of ca. 300 species. Originating in eastern Asia ~32 Mya, Delphinium arrived to western North America around 3 Mya and rapidly speciated along climatic and elevational gradients. At least 61 species have been described in North America, and most of these are endemic to the western United States (e.g., Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, and California Floristic Province). The toxicity of this genus has been a large research focus for government agencies, but very little is known about the phylogeographic history, species relationships, population genetics, or conservation status of species in this group. Here I present the first phylogeny focused on North American Delphinium, as well as a population genetic analysis that clarifies taxonomic confusion within a previously unresolved species complex (D. occidentale, D. barbeyi, D. glaucum). This molecular phylogeny for the North American Delphinium provides clarity on species relationships, enables further research into plant diversification rates within and across temperate mountain regions (i.e., Himalaya-Hengduan and North American Cordillera), and provides a unique opportunity to study how plant chemical defenses against herbivores affect speciation processes.