Pedicularis furbishiae isolate:FL008 Genome sequencing and assembly/landscape level genomics using GBS
Furbish's Lousewort (Pedicularis furbishiae S. Watson) is an iconic species with an engaging history. It was presumed extinct and was rediscovered in 1976 during an environmental impact study where the presence of the species was instrumental in halting a hydroelectric dam on the St. John River. This rediscovery spurred naturalists to search for the lousewort along the St. John River; these naturalists were some of the first people to work on conserving the species. Furbish's Lousewort was Canada's first plant species to be designated as nationally endangered by the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and was listed earlier as endangered in the US in 1978 under their Endangered Species Act (1973). The species is also listed as endangered provincially in New Brunswick and in Maine.This species is globally restricted to the Saint John River Valley in north western New Brunswick and northern Maine and is distributed along 225 km of the St. John River. It is also considered to be one of the rarest plants in the world. It is believed to be a recently evolved species whose closest relatives are found in boreal habitats. This species is unique, living in extreme conditions, where its habitat is confined to a narrow area of ice scoured eroded river bank under the forest cover. The annual flood and ice disturbance regimes are believed to keep plant competition down and open up new habitat for the species. This specialized habitat has no doubt contributed to its rarity and because of its dynamic habitat, local extinctions and colonization events are expected for Furbish's Lousewort over time (Menges 1990). Thus surveys that cover a large portion of the potential habitat are the only reliable means of assessing changes in the population.Recent (2018 to 2025) surveys in NB have shown that Furbish's Lousewort is close to extirpation in Canada, elevating the urgency of management efforts, an important component of which is understanding what genetic diversity stands to be lost. For this reason, we propose this species for whole-genome sequencing. A de novo genome assembly would be an extremely valuable resource, enabling detailed studies of Furbish Lousewort's evolutionary past and present demographics, and empowering future monitoring and mitigation of genetic erosion.The research plan includes the production of a reference genome for use in 2 primary lines of inquiry: (1) conservation genomic studies of the species throughout its range for the purpose of quantifying and monitoring genetic erosion, and (2) phylogenomic inference of the species' demographic history and phylogenetic origin.