Black lace cactus occurrence and genetic relationships
February 16, 2022 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Webinar Description: Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii, also known as Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii, is a south Texas endemic. The plant, commonly called black lace cactus, is listed as a federally and state endangered species. The objectives of this study are to 1. survey populations of black lace cactus to determine current occurrence status, 2. examine habitat and morphological features of black lace cactus across occurrences, and 3. examine the genetics of the E. reichenbachii-fitchii species complex to decipher the closest evolutionary relatives of black lace cactus.Bios:Shannon Fehlberg works as the Conservation Biologist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. Her research uses phylogenetic and population genetic approaches, along with other data, to understand the evolution of rare plants and their closest relatives. She is particularly interested in resolving relationships among closely related species and understanding the influences of genome duplication (polyploidy), hybridization, geography, and ecology on species diversification. Recently, her work has focused on members of the cactus family, including several species complexes in the hedgehog genus, Echinocereus. Prior to coming to the Garden, Shannon completed a Master’s and PhD at the University of Colorado and a postdoc at Kansas State University.Paula S. Williamson is the Associate Dean for Research, College of Science and Engineering and University Distinguished Professor of Biology at Texas State University. She is a conservation biologist with research interests in the ecology, reproductive biology and phylogeny of endangered species. Paula, together with her graduate students and other collaborators, has studied several Texas endangered plants including Abronia macrocarpa, Astrophytum asterias, Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii and Zizania texana. She received a Master’s and Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Note: Registration via mobile devices is not supported. You must register using a computer.REGISTER
Webinar Description: Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii, also known as Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii, is a south Texas endemic. The plant, commonly called black lace cactus, is listed as a federally and state endangered species. The objectives of this study are to 1. survey populations of black lace cactus to determine current occurrence status, 2. examine habitat and morphological features of black lace cactus across occurrences, and 3. examine the genetics of the E. reichenbachii-fitchii species complex to decipher the closest evolutionary relatives of black lace cactus.Bios:Shannon Fehlberg works as the Conservation Biologist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. Her research uses phylogenetic and population genetic approaches, along with other data, to understand the evolution of rare plants and their closest relatives. She is particularly interested in resolving relationships among closely related species and understanding the influences of genome duplication (polyploidy), hybridization, geography, and ecology on species diversification. Recently, her work has focused on members of the cactus family, including several species complexes in the hedgehog genus, Echinocereus. Prior to coming to the Garden, Shannon completed a Master’s and PhD at the University of Colorado and a postdoc at Kansas State University.Paula S. Williamson is the Associate Dean for Research, College of Science and Engineering and University Distinguished Professor of Biology at Texas State University. She is a conservation biologist with research interests in the ecology, reproductive biology and phylogeny of endangered species. Paula, together with her graduate students and other collaborators, has studied several Texas endangered plants including Abronia macrocarpa, Astrophytum asterias, Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii and Zizania texana. She received a Master’s and Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Note: Registration via mobile devices is not supported. You must register using a computer.REGISTER 