DOCSLIB.ORG

A Guide to North American Grasslands

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Guide to North American Grasslands Desert Volume 29, Number 2 Published by The University of Arizona for Plants the Boyce Thompson Arboretum A Guide to North American Grasslands David E. Brown and Elizabeth Makings Relict Great Basin Shrub-Grassland near Wupatki National Monument northeast of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona, 1,650 m (5,413 ft). Volume 29, Number 2 Desert Plants Published by The University of Arizona for the Boyce Thompson Arboretum A journal devoted to broadening knowledge of plants 37615 E US Highway 60 indigenous or adapted to arid and sub-arid regions and Superior, AZ 85173 to encouraging the appreciation of these plants. Copyright 2014. The Arizona Board of Regents on Mark D. Siegwarth, editor behalf of The University of Arizona. The Boyce [email protected] Thompson Arboretum at Superior, Arizona, is cooperatively managed by the Boyce Thompson Production Director: Kim Stone Southwestern Arboretum, Inc., The University of Arizona, and Arizona State Parks. Boyce Thompson Arboretum From the editor As Desert Plants begins its 35th year with a new staff, it in editorship comes the opportunity to rethink what Desert seems somewhat appropriate that as we begin a new chap- Plants is and could be. Desert Plants is devoted to broad- ter in the history of Desert Plants, we start with A Guide ening knowledge of plants indigenous or adapted to arid to North American Grasslands by David E. Brown and Eliza- and sub-arid regions and to encouraging the appreciation of beth Makings. Probably one of the most quoted, used and these plants. With such a broad mandate, it is open to vari- reprinted issues of Desert Plants to this day is Volume 4, ous interpretations. We would certainly welcome comments No. 1-4: Biotic Communities of the American Southwest - United from our readers as to what articles they value most or what States and Mexico, by David E. Brown (editor). Not only are they would like to see more of. Another issue confronting we reaching back to our early years for authorship, I believe us is whether we should move to become a peer reviewed we are maintaining the high standards set back then as well. journal. A peer reviewed journal would open us to addi- So, we certainly hope that we are off to a great start, even if tional authors but may eliminate others. So, the fundamental it is a bit late. question is what type of articles you would prefer. We are very excited about several upcoming issues. We We have tried in the past to have some variety in most hope to have one issue dedicated to the 25-year field eval- issues, except for the ones dedicated to a flora or given uation of various exotic tree species at the Mesa Agricul- subject. Typically, we tried to maintain a balance between tural Center in Yuma, Arizona and another issue dedicated Arizona and international articles, technical and non-tech- to a Vascular and Vegetative Flora of the Ironwood Forest nical articles. As Boyce Thompson Arboretum has grown National Monument in Pima and Pinal Counties, Arizona. over the years, we believe we can expand in all areas, but first Other issues will include articles on the 5-year Arizona we would like to hear from you. Hedgehog (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus) salvage Please send your comments to Desert Plants, 37615 E US project, the role of floral scent in host detection for a soli- Highway 60, Superior, Arizona 85173 or DesertPlants@cals. tary specialist bee and an upcoming genus treatment from arizona.edu. Legumes of Arizona to name a few. Again, we hope you enjoy this issue and sorry for the late With so many great issues on the horizon and the change start. Desert Plants Journal is included with Boojum Club, Picket Post Society, and Director’s Circle level memberships at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. One-year subscriptions are also available: individual $20, individual(foreign) $30, institution $50. Back issues are $5 each, plus $3 shipping and handling. Additional copies of Vol. 29(2) are $20, plus $5 shipping and handling. Mailing address: Boyce Thompson Arboretum 37615 E US Highway 60, Superior, AZ 85173 Website: arboretum.ag.arizona.edu E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 520.689.2723 4 Desert Plants 29(2) 2014 North American Grasslands Contents 5 Acknowledgements 5 Authors’ Preface 6 Introduction 14 Arctic-Boreal Grasslands 16 Rocky Mountain Alpine and Subalpine Grassland 23 Cascade-Sierran Subalpine Grassland 27 Transvolcanic Alpine and Subalpine Grassland 31 Cold Temperate Grasslands 32 Rocky Mountain Montane Grassland 36 Sierran-Cascade Montane Grassland 39 Madrean Montane Grassland 41 Plains Grassland 55 Great Basin Shrub-Grassland 62 Oregonion Coastal Grassland 66 Warm Temperate Grasslands 67 Gulf Coastal Grassland 71 Semidesert Grassland 83 California Valley Grassland 90 Neotropical Savanna Grasslands 92 Central American Savana Grassland 97 Guatemalan-Guerrean Savanna Grassland 100 Campachian-Veracruz Savanna Grassland 103 Tamaulipan Savanna Grassland 106 Sonoran Savanna Grassland 113 Caribbean Savanna Grassland 117 Other Neotropical Savannas 118 Concluding Remarks 119 References 125 Appendix I. Figures. Worldwide grasslands 130 Appendix II. Plant matrix 152 Appenxix III. Animal matrix Above: Trachypogon spicatus Back cover: Semidesert Grassland in the San Simon Valley, just east of the Price Canyon area. August 2010. Photos: Elizabeth Makings 5 Acknowledgements The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge Andy John Taft, John Alcock, Aimee Kessler, Barbara Neuffer, Casillas and Stella Ruth, former office mates of co-author David and Nancy Pearson, Fernando Zuloaga, David Cook, Elizabeth Makings at the Tonto National Forest Supervi- Lee Frataer, Richard E. Brown, Alejandro Velázquez, Raul sor’s Office. Without their expertise and patience teaching Valdez, Bonnie Swarbrick, Joey Carboneaux, D. F. Costello, the basics of ArcMap, the grasslands map would not have R. R. Humphrey, Ray Turner, Kevin Clark, Ron Cole, David been possible. The authors are also indebted to the many Clendenen, Randall Babb, Louella Brown, Steve Gallizioli, contributing photographers who were so generous with Casa Grande Valley Historical Society, Charles H. Lowe, Jr, not only their photos, but also with species-level descrip- and Anibella Flores. tions that many noted in the captions. The photograpers are: Authors’ Preface This monograph is an expanded treatment of the grass- Both plants and animals are therefore of prime consider- lands originally presented in “Biotic Communities of South- ation in the identification and delineation of the grasslands west U.S. and Northwest Mexico” published in Desert Plants featured herein. The authors may take credit for assembling 1982 (1-4). This expansion was prompted by comments what is hoped to be a useful and enduring guide to the grass- received from a number of biologists working in North lands of North America, but the real credit goes to the scien- America’s “grassland biome” who suggested that we include tists this work has referenced – leaders in grassland ecology and compare the Southwest’s grasslands with their area of including giants such as Daniel Axelrod, Michael Barbour, expertise. Ecologists expressing particular interest in such William Billings, Frederic Clements, Rexford Daubenmire, an expansion included Ray Turner, Alberto Burquez, Orie Aldo Leopold, Jerzy Rzedowski, Forrest Shreve, and John Laucks, Miklos Udvardy, and the late Jim Yoakum. Weaver. Their influential theories and pioneering works laid Co-author David Brown has been to each of the grass- the foundation for our current biogeographical view of land communities presented herein from the arctic-subarctic landscapes. to the tropic-neotropic. Biotic communities visited included Those biologists contributing significantly to the inclusion those in the prairie provinces of Canada; the Eastern, Plains, of animal inhabitants within the biotic communities present- Rocky Mountain, Great Basin, Oregonian, and California ed include Russell Davis (mammals), Janet Ruth (grassland regions of the U.S., and in every Mexican state. Tropic- sparrows), R. Roy Johnson (birds), Rich Glinski (raptors) subtropic grasslands and their inhabitants included those and Randal Babb (herpetofauna). observed in Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica as well as on several Caribbean islands including David E. Brown Cuba. Arizona State University Not all ecologists will agree with the climatic and biotic [email protected] delineations separating the grasslands, correctly pointing out the continuum concept of R. H. Whittaker and others Elizabeth Makings showing that few if any species share identical altitudinal and Arizona State University climatic limitations. Nonetheless, we consider the plant and [email protected] animal assemblages within the various grasslands depicted to not only be varied and large, but to contribute to a better January 2014 understanding of each grassland’s history and evolution. This presentation therefore incorporates the biotic commu- nity concepts originally proposed by H. S. Swarth, Forrest Shreve, and V. E. Shelford; applied by D. I. Rasmussen, and formulated by C. H. Lowe, Jr. 6 Desert Plants 29(2) 2014 North American Grasslands Grassland communities can be found on every continent Introduction and on most oceanic islands. They occupy extensive areas and their regional names may imprint a specific designation to an “Pride of place must certainly go to the entire biotic province. The Eurasian “steppe,” the Hungar- ian “puszta”, the “pampas” of Argentina, the “campos” of Gramineae…the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pima County Plant List (2020) Common Name Exotic? Source
    Pima County Plant List (2020) Common Name Exotic? Source McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abies concolor var. concolor White fir Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica Corkbark fir Devender, T. R. (2005) Abronia villosa Hariy sand verbena McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abutilon abutiloides Shrubby Indian mallow Devender, T. R. (2005) Abutilon berlandieri Berlandier Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon incanum Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abutilon malacum Yellow Indian mallow Devender, T. R. (2005) Abutilon mollicomum Sonoran Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon palmeri Palmer Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon parishii Pima Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Abutilon parvulum Dwarf Indian mallow Herbarium; ASU Vascular Plant Herbarium Abutilon pringlei McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Abutilon reventum Yellow flower Indian mallow Herbarium; ASU Vascular Plant Herbarium McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia angustissima Whiteball acacia Devender, T. R. (2005); DBGH McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia constricta Whitethorn acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia greggii Catclaw acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) Acacia millefolia Santa Rita acacia McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia neovernicosa Chihuahuan whitethorn acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Acalypha lindheimeri Shrubby copperleaf Herbarium Acalypha neomexicana New Mexico copperleaf McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acalypha ostryaefolia McLaughlin, S. (1992) Acalypha pringlei McLaughlin, S. (1992) Acamptopappus McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Rayless goldenhead sphaerocephalus Herbarium Acer glabrum Douglas maple McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acer grandidentatum Sugar maple McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acer negundo Ashleaf maple McLaughlin, S.
    [Show full text]
  • Grasses Plant List
    Grasses Plant List California Botanical Name Common Name Water Use Native Aristida purpurea purple three-awn Very Low X Arundinaria gigantea cane reed Low Bothriochloa barbinodis cane bluestem Low X Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama Low X Bouteloua gracilis, cvs. blue grama Low X Briza media quaking grass Low Calamagrostis x acutiflora cvs., e.g. Karl feather reed grass Low Foerster Cortaderia selloana cvs. pampas grass Low Deschampsia cespitosa, cvs. tufted hairgrass Low X Distichlis spicata (marsh, reveg.) salt grass Very Low X Elymus condensatus, cvs. (Leymus giant wild rye Low X condensatus) Elymus triticoides (Leymus triticoides) creeping wild rye Low X Eragrostis elliottii 'Tallahassee Sunset' Elliott's lovegrass Low Eragrostis spectabilis purple love grass Low Festuca glauca blue fescue Low Festuca idahoensis, cvs. Idaho fescue Low X Festuca mairei Maire's fescue Low Helictotrichon sempervirens, cvs. blue oat grass Low Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow barley Very Low X Koeleria macrantha (cristata) June grass Low X Melica californica oniongrass Very Low X Melica imperfecta coast range onion grass Very Low X Melica torreyana Torrey's melic Very Low X Muhlenbergia capillaris, cvs. hairy awn muhly Low Muhlenbergia dubia pine muhly Low Muhlenbergia filipes purply muhly Low Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Lindheimer muhly Low Muhlenbergia pubescens soft muhly Low Muhlenbergia rigens deer grass Low X Nassella gigantea giant needle grass Low Panicum spp. panic grass Low Panicum virgatum, cvs. switch grass Low Pennisetum alopecuroides, cvs.
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Chiricahua National Monument
    In Cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Chiricahua National Monument Open-File Report 2008-1023 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey National Park Service This page left intentionally blank. In cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Chiricahua National Monument By Brian F. Powell, Cecilia A. Schmidt, William L. Halvorson, and Pamela Anning Open-File Report 2008-1023 U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center Sonoran Desert Research Station University of Arizona U.S. Department of the Interior School of Natural Resources U.S. Geological Survey 125 Biological Sciences East National Park Service Tucson, Arizona 85721 U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2008 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web:http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested Citation Powell, B.F., Schmidt, C.A., Halvorson, W.L., and Anning, Pamela, 2008, Vascular plant and vertebrate inventory of Chiricahua National Monument: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1023, 104 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1023/]. Cover photo: Chiricahua National Monument. Photograph by National Park Service. Note: This report supersedes Schmidt et al. (2005). Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 Years (1903 to 2003) of Accomplishments and Contributions; Conference Proceedings; 2003 October 30–November 1; Tucson, AZ
    Michael A. Crimmins Theresa M. Mau-Crimmins Climate Variability and Plant Response at the Santa Rita Experimental Range, Arizona Abstract: Climatic variability is reflected in differential establishment, persistence, and spread of plant species. Although studies have investigated these relationships for some species and functional groups, few have attempted to characterize the specific sequences of climatic conditions at various temporal scales (subseasonal, seasonal, and interannual) associated with proliferation of particular species. Research has primarily focused on the climate conditions concurrent with or occurring just prior to a vegetation response. However, the cumulative effect of antecedent conditions taking place for several consecutive seasons may have a greater influence on plant growth. In this study, we tested whether the changes in overall cover of plant species can be explained by antecedent climate conditions. Temperature, precipitation, and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) values at various lags were correlated with cover. PDSI had the strongest correlations for several drought-intolerant species at lags up to six seasons prior to the sampling date. Precipita- tion, surprisingly, did not correlate with species cover as strongly as PDSI. This is attributed to PDSI capturing soil moisture conditions, which are important to plant growth, better than raw precipi- tation measurements. Temperature correlations were weak and possessed little explanatory power as predictors of species cover. Acknowledgments: Data sets were provided by the Santa Rita Experimental Range Digital Database. Funding for the digitization of these data was provided by the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station and the University of Arizona. Introduction ______________________________________________________ Climatic variability is reflected in differential establishment, persistence, and spread of plant species.
    [Show full text]
  • A Vegetation Classification and Map: White Sands National Monument
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science A Vegetation Classification and Map White Sands National Monument Natural Resource Report NPS/CHDN/NRR—2019/1906 ON THE COVER Representative vegetation communities of White Sands National Monument. Photography by E. Muldavin, Charlie Jack- son, Yvonne Chauvin, and Jamie Thompson A Vegetation Classification and Map White Sands National Monument Natural Resource Report NPS/WHSA/NRR—2019/1906 Esteban Muldavin1 Yvonne Chauvin1 Keith Schulz2 Teri Neville1 Paul Neville3 Jacqueline Smith1 Anthony Fettes1 1Natural Heritage New Mexico Division Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 2NatureServe Boulder, CO 3Earth Data Analysis Center University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM April 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: a Flora of Southwestern Arizona
    Felger, R.S., S. Rutman, and J. Malusa. 2014. Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora of southwestern Arizona. Part 6. Poaceae – grass family. Phytoneuron 2014-35: 1–139. Published 17 March 2014. ISSN 2153 733X AJO PEAK TO TINAJAS ALTAS: A FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA Part 6. POACEAE – GRASS FAMILY RICHARD STEPHEN FELGER Herbarium, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 & Sky Island Alliance P.O. Box 41165, Tucson, Arizona 85717 *Author for correspondence: [email protected] SUSAN RUTMAN 90 West 10th Street Ajo, Arizona 85321 JIM MALUSA School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 [email protected] ABSTRACT A floristic account is provided for the grass family as part of the vascular plant flora of the contiguous protected areas of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tinajas Altas Region in southwestern Arizona. This is the second largest family in the flora area after Asteraceae. A total of 97 taxa in 46 genera of grasses are included in this publication, which includes ones established and reproducing in the modern flora (86 taxa in 43 genera), some occurring at the margins of the flora area or no long known from the area, and ice age fossils. At least 28 taxa are known by fossils recovered from packrat middens, five of which have not been found in the modern flora: little barley ( Hordeum pusillum ), cliff muhly ( Muhlenbergia polycaulis ), Paspalum sp., mutton bluegrass ( Poa fendleriana ), and bulb panic grass ( Zuloagaea bulbosa ). Non-native grasses are represented by 27 species, or 28% of the modern grass flora.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2012 Number 1
    Calochortiana December 2012 Number 1 December 2012 Number 1 CONTENTS Proceedings of the Fifth South- western Rare and Endangered Plant Conference Calochortiana, a new publication of the Utah Native Plant Society . 3 The Fifth Southwestern Rare and En- dangered Plant Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 2009 . 3 Abstracts of presentations and posters not submitted for the proceedings . 4 Southwestern cienegas: Rare habitats for endangered wetland plants. Robert Sivinski . 17 A new look at ranking plant rarity for conservation purposes, with an em- phasis on the flora of the American Southwest. John R. Spence . 25 The contribution of Cedar Breaks Na- tional Monument to the conservation of vascular plant diversity in Utah. Walter Fertig and Douglas N. Rey- nolds . 35 Studying the seed bank dynamics of rare plants. Susan Meyer . 46 East meets west: Rare desert Alliums in Arizona. John L. Anderson . 56 Calochortus nuttallii (Sego lily), Spatial patterns of endemic plant spe- state flower of Utah. By Kaye cies of the Colorado Plateau. Crystal Thorne. Krause . 63 Continued on page 2 Copyright 2012 Utah Native Plant Society. All Rights Reserved. Utah Native Plant Society Utah Native Plant Society, PO Box 520041, Salt Lake Copyright 2012 Utah Native Plant Society. All Rights City, Utah, 84152-0041. www.unps.org Reserved. Calochortiana is a publication of the Utah Native Plant Society, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organi- Editor: Walter Fertig ([email protected]), zation dedicated to conserving and promoting steward- Editorial Committee: Walter Fertig, Mindy Wheeler, ship of our native plants. Leila Shultz, and Susan Meyer CONTENTS, continued Biogeography of rare plants of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada.
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service
    Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Daniel G. Milchunas General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-169 April 2006 Milchunas, Daniel G. 2006. Responses of plant communities to grazing in the southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-169. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p. Abstract Grazing by wild and domestic mammals can have small to large effects on plant communities, depend- ing on characteristics of the particular community and of the type and intensity of grazing. The broad objective of this report was to extensively review literature on the effects of grazing on 25 plant commu- nities of the southwestern U.S. in terms of plant species composition, aboveground primary productiv- ity, and root and soil attributes. Livestock grazing management and grazing systems are assessed, as are effects of small and large native mammals and feral species, when data are available. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary history of grazing and productivity of the particular communities as deter- minants of response. After reviewing available studies for each community type, we compare changes in species composition with grazing among community types. Comparisons are also made between southwestern communities with a relatively short history of grazing and communities of the adjacent Great Plains with a long evolutionary history of grazing. Evidence for grazing as a factor in shifts from grasslands to shrublands is considered. An appendix outlines a new community classification system, which is followed in describing grazing impacts in prior sections.
    [Show full text]
  • Cynodonteae Tribe
    POACEAE [GRAMINEAE] – GRASS FAMILY Plant: annuals or perennials Stem: jointed stem is termed a culm – internodial stem most often hollow but always solid at node, mostly round, some with stolons (creeping stem) or rhizomes (underground stem) Root: usually fibrous, often very abundant and dense Leaves: mostly linear, sessile, parallel veins, in 2 ranks (vertical rows), leaf sheath usually open or split and often overlapping, but may be closed Flowers: small in 2 rows forming a spikelet (1 to several flowers), may be 1 to many spikelets with pedicels or sessile to stem; each flower within a spikelet is between an outer limna (bract, with a midrib) and an inner palea (bract, 2-nerved or keeled usually) – these 3 parts together make the floret – the 2 bottom bracts of the spikelet do not have flowers and are termed glumes (may be reduced or absent), the rachilla is the axis that hold the florets; sepals and petals absent; 1-6 but often 3 stamens; 1 pistil, 1-3 but usually 2 styles, ovary superior, 1 ovule – there are exceptions to most everything!! Fruit: seed-like grain (seed usually fused to the pericarp (ovary wall) or not) Other: very large and important family; Monocotyledons Group Genera: 600+ genera; locally many genera 2 slides per species WARNING – family descriptions are only a layman’s guide and should not be used as definitive POACEAE [GRAMINEAE] – CYNODONTEAE TRIBE Sideoats Grama; Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. var. curtipendula - Cynodonteae (Tribe) Bermuda Grass; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (Introduced) - Cynodonteae (Tribe) Egyptian Grass [Durban Crowfoot]; Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd (Introduced) [Indian] Goose Grass; Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary History of the Grasses1
    Update on Evolution Evolutionary History of the Grasses1 Elizabeth A. Kellogg* Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri 63121 While some scientists have been working to se- studying form, many systematists now use DNA se- quence and describe the human genome, with in- quences to determine relationships among organ- creasingly dramatic results, another set of scientists isms. If large enough stretches of DNA can be com- has been quietly providing a map of evolutionary pared for enough organisms, the phylogenetic history, a time line that shows how life has evolved. relationships generally become clear. The need for Unlike the genome projects, which accumulate mega- large numbers of DNA sequences has led to collab- bases of sequence from many genes in one organism, orative groups of scientists who combine their data to evolutionary projects accumulate megabases of se- reach a common goal. This is an unusual endeavor quence from the same handful of genes in many for systematists who traditionally have worked alone, organisms. The scientists who investigate the pattern each investigating a single group of organisms. of evolutionary change are predominantly system- atists, meaning, literally, those who study natural systems. Their work has three major goals. The first is EVOLUTIONARY TREE OF THE GRASS FAMILY to decipher the evolutionary history, or phylogeny, (POACEAE OR GRAMINEAE) commonly drawn as a cladogram or branching dia- The grass family is of particular interest to humans. gram. Once that is accomplished, the second goal is Most people on earth rely on grasses, including rice, to determine for each speciation event what sorts of wheat, and maize, for a major portion of their diet.
    [Show full text]
  • Poaceae) De México Species Richness, Classification and a Checklist of the Grasses (Poaceae) of Mexico
    Artículo de investigación Riqueza de especies, clasificación y listado de las gramíneas (Poaceae) de México Species richness, classification and a checklist of the grasses (Poaceae) of Mexico J. Gabriel Sánchez-Ken Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: En 2006 se dio a conocer el catálogo de las gramíneas de México, pero desde entonces tanto la clasificación como la apa- rición de especies nuevas cambiaron las cifras de esta familia en México y en el mundo. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue actualizar la lista de taxa en México, reuniendo el mayor número posible de bases de datos en línea. Otros objetivos incluyeron la comparación de la riqueza de especies de la familia Poaceae entre los países con mayor diversidad, así como analizar la riqueza de sus taxa a nivel estatal y por categorías taxonómicas. Métodos: Se consultaron bases de datos en línea, tanto nacionales como extranjeras, que incluían ejemplares de referencia de México, se descarga- ron y se curaron, además de una confirmación visual de la identidad de un gran porcentaje de ejemplares. Se extrajeron los nombres de las especies, estados donde fueron colectadas y los acrónimos de los herbarios. La base resultante se complementó solo con bibliografía a partir de 2006 y la no incluida en el catálogo que mostraba ejemplares de respaldo. Resultados clave: Se revisaron 227,973 registros que contabilizaron, en total, 1416 taxa, que incluyen 215 géneros, 1312 especies y 214 categorías infraespecíficas. Del total de especies, 1092 se consideran nativas y 224 introducidas (cultivadas y/o malezas). Las especies endémicas de México son 304 (27.83%) o 311 (28.10%) si se consideran categorías inferiores.
    [Show full text]
  • Floristic Surveys of Saguaro National Park Protected Natural Areas
    Floristic Surveys of Saguaro National Park Protected Natural Areas William L. Halvorson and Brooke S. Gebow, editors Technical Report No. 68 United States Geological Survey Sonoran Desert Field Station The University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona USGS Sonoran Desert Field Station The University of Arizona, Tucson The Sonoran Desert Field Station (SDFS) at The University of Arizona is a unit of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC). It was originally established as a National Park Service Cooperative Park Studies Unit (CPSU) in 1973 with a research staff and ties to The University of Arizona. Transferred to the USGS Biological Resources Division in 1996, the SDFS continues the CPSU mission of providing scientific data (1) to assist U.S. Department of Interior land management agencies within Arizona and (2) to foster cooperation among all parties overseeing sensitive natural and cultural resources in the region. It also is charged with making its data resources and researchers available to the interested public. Seventeen such field stations in California, Arizona, and Nevada carry out WERC’s work. The SDFS provides a multi-disciplinary approach to studies in natural and cultural sciences. Principal cooperators include the School of Renewable Natural Resources and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at The University of Arizona. Unit scientists also hold faculty or research associate appointments at the university. The Technical Report series distributes information relevant to high priority regional resource management needs. The series presents detailed accounts of study design, methods, results, and applications possibly not accommodated in the formal scientific literature. Technical Reports follow SDFS guidelines and are subject to peer review and editing.
    [Show full text]