Chromosome races in Sarcobatus (Sarcobataceae, Caryophyllales)

Authors

Stewart C. Sanderson, Shrub Science Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Provo, Utah
Howard C. Stutz, Brigham Young University
Mildred Stutz, Brigham Young University
Richard C. Roos, Waste Management Federal Services, Inc., Northwest Operations, Richland, Washington

Abstract

Sarcobatus Nees., a genus of North American halophytic shrubs, consists of 2 species: S. vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. (n = 18, 36), which is widespread in North America, and S. baileyi Cov. (n = 54), endemic to Nevada. Within S. vermiculatus, populations of n = 36 are widely distributed, whereas populations of n = 18 are found only in the Sonoran Desert, northern California, and northwestern Great Plains, locations at the periphery of the species range. Although the chromosome number of n = 18 is apparently tetraploid, failure to form an n = 27 race intermediate to those of n = 18 and n = 36 suggests than n = 18 S. vermiculatus is of significant age and that it behaves chromosomally as a diploid. Sarcobatus has a long fossil pollen record and endured Pleistocene climatic extremes with little range displacement.

Recommended Citation

Sanderson, Stewart C.; Stutz, Howard C.; Stutz, Mildred; and Roos, Richard C. (1999) "Chromosome races in Sarcobatus (Sarcobataceae, Caryophyllales)," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 59: No. 4, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol59/iss4/1