Species Boundaries in Pyrrocoma liatriformis and Pyrrocoma scaberula (Asteraceae) Based on AFLP Data

Previous investigations into the morphology of Pyrrocoma liatriformis sensu lato in northern Idaho and adjacent Washington have revealed two distinct morphologies that correspond to their geographical ranges. These same populations and individuals have been analyzed using AFLP data. Over 400 loci were identified among all individuals using two sets of AFLP adaptors. The data are in agreement with the morphological data and separate the populations from the Snake River Canyon/Camas Prairie from those of the Palouse grasslands. Data clustering methodologies using both presence/absence data for all individuals and allele frequencies for each population produced similar results. We suggest the name P. scaberula be resurrected to encompass the populations from the Snake River Canyon and Camas Prairie.