Date Created

8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Student Work

First Advisor

Mitchell E. McGlaughlin

First Committee Member

Carol Dawson

Second Committee Member

Jennifer Ackerfield

Abstract

Astragalus ripleyi Barneby is a rare endemic species found in the San Luis Valley of the southern portions of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. Though not federally listed as endangered, the species is on the Bureau of Land Management’s Sensitive Species List, warranting protection and continued management. This study aims to provide information about the genetic health of the species to inform conservation efforts and provide updated management recommendations. A genetic health analysis was conducted investigating the levels of diversity present in the species, how genetic diversity is structured across the known range of the species and how connected sampled populations are. A comparative analysis between Astragalus ripleyi and its common congener Astragalus drummondii was also conducted to compare diversity levels and connectivity across sites where the two species co-occur in Colorado. The study found Astragalus ripleyi to be a relatively diverse species, with limited genetic structure across its range and well-connected populations. Management recommendations include having two management units for the species, focusing on one population from each unit for protection, and implementing regular monitoring of a population in each unit to acquire more data on population trends. The comparative analysis indicates that while diversity levels may be similar between the rare and common species, the genetic structure of each species and connectivity of the populations are too different to be reliably comparable. Astragalus ripleyi is found to be a genetically diverse species with no warning signs requiring immediate attention, but the lack of demographic and ecological data for this rare, range-restricted species warrants continued conservation efforts.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

Astragalus; Astragalus ripleyi; Botany; Plant; Plants; Genetics; Population Genetics; Ecology; Rare Plants; Endemic

Subject Categories

Biodiversity | Bioinformatics | Botany | Molecular Biology | Molecular Genetics | Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Population Biology

Language

English

Places

Colorado; New Mexico; San Luis Valley; Alamosa; Taos

Extent

73 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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