Range Expansion of Ebony Spleenwort into Urban Environments
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
Ebony spleenwort, Asplenium platyneuron, is a widespread and common fern in eastern North America. Anecdotal reports suggest that the species is expanding its range into the largest cities on the Atlantic seaboard and mapping the current and historical ranges seems to confirm this colonization. As the world becomes more urbanized, many species are losing their natural habitat. However, this fern seems to have seized on a chance to expand into these seemingly barren landscapes. This research focuses on the genetic signatures of the range expansion of A. platyneuron.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Michael Sundue
Graduate Student Mentors
bblack
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Plant Biology
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Range Expansion of Ebony Spleenwort into Urban Environments
Ebony spleenwort, Asplenium platyneuron, is a widespread and common fern in eastern North America. Anecdotal reports suggest that the species is expanding its range into the largest cities on the Atlantic seaboard and mapping the current and historical ranges seems to confirm this colonization. As the world becomes more urbanized, many species are losing their natural habitat. However, this fern seems to have seized on a chance to expand into these seemingly barren landscapes. This research focuses on the genetic signatures of the range expansion of A. platyneuron.