Gaining Crucial Knowledge Regarding the Federally Endangered Eriogonum pelinophilum: an Examination of Conservation Genetics and Species Relationships

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Eriogonum pelinophilum (clay-loving wild buckwheat) is currently known only from twelve scattered sites on Mancos Shale, distributed over approximately 582 acres in Delta and Montrose Counties, Colorado. When all known element occurrences (EOs) are taken into account, fewer than 300,000 individuals are known to exist. Since its discovery and description, additional populations near the Delta and Montrose areas have been uncovered. This taxon was first listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered in 1984, and its status has not changed since. The species faces a multitude of threats mostly from the expanding towns of Delta and Montrose. The proposed study, a collaboration of multiple agencies and universities, would address the following objectives: (1) investigate species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships of Eriogonum pelinophilum, especially compared to E. contortum and E. clavellatum (2) determine levels of genetic variation found in populations of E. pelinophilum (3) prioritize populations with the greatest conservation potential, factoring in genetic diversity, ecological diversity, and threats of extirpation.

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